Cricket

Kane Williamson has hailed the "incredible" career of his close friend Tim Southee after the pace bowler announced his retirement from Tests following the England series.Williamson and Southee's careers have been intertwined since their junior and Under-19 days, through domestic cricket, and into all formats for New Zealand. The pair played their 100th Tests together against Australia earlier this year, with Williamson making his debut two-and-a-half years after Southee.Williamson, New Zealand's leading run-scorer in Test history, praised Southee's longevity and achievements. "To do it as long as Tim has is incredible as a fast bowler," Williamson said. "There's not many in the history of the game who have been able to achieve what he has."Southee's retirement marks the latest departure from an era of successful New Zealand players, including Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, and Neil Wagner. Trent Boult has also stepped away from Tests and T20Is.Williamson acknowledged the changing landscape of the team but emphasized the excitement for the future. "It's life, isn't it," he said. "You do realize you are closer towards the end than the start."Williamson, who will return from a groin injury against England, also discussed his own career and the challenges of managing his body in the latter stages. "It's not major, which is good," he said. "But I've certainly had a few reminders that I'm not invincible."Despite missing the historic 3-0 victory in India, Williamson praised the team's performance. "To go over and play the way they did, so special, one of our all-time cricketing memories," he said.

Tim Southee, New Zealand's legendary seam bowler, has announced his retirement from Test cricket after a remarkable 18-year career. The 35-year-old will bid farewell to the longest format of the game on his home ground in Hamilton next month, at the conclusion of England's tour of New Zealand.Southee has been a cornerstone of the Black Caps' bowling attack since making his debut against England in 2008. He has claimed 385 Test wickets in 104 appearances, second only to Sir Richard Hadlee (431) among New Zealanders. His impressive tally includes 15 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket matches.Southee's recent performances have been particularly noteworthy. He played a key role in New Zealand's historic 3-0 series win in India, the first by a visiting team since 2012-13. Despite claiming just three wickets across the first two Tests, he dismissed India's captain, Rohit Sharma, for a duck in the series opener and their top-scorer, Sarfaraz Khan, for 150 in the second innings.Southee's retirement marks the end of an era for New Zealand cricket. He is the country's most prolific bowler in international cricket, with 770 wickets across formats to date. No other bowler in international cricket has matched his feat of reaching 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets, and 100 T20I wickets.Beyond his bowling prowess, Southee has also been a valuable contributor with the bat. He has scored 93 Test sixes, second only to Brendon McCullum among New Zealanders. His maiden Test innings in 2008 saw him strike an unbeaten 77, which remains his highest score in the format.Southee's retirement announcement has been met with tributes from around the cricket world. He is widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers of his generation and a true ambassador for the game.

New Zealand's historic Test series victory in India has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. After securing the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets, the Kiwis sealed the series with a commanding 113-run win in Pune, marking their first series triumph on Indian soil.This victory snapped India's remarkable 12-year unbeaten streak at home, a testament to the Black Caps' resilience and determination. It also ended India's impressive run of 18 consecutive home series victories, a streak that had stood since England's triumph in 2012.New Zealand's veteran pacer Tim Southee expressed his team's elation at their historic achievement. "It's a very, very tough place to come," Southee said. "But I think you look at this one in particular, 12 years, 18 series. It's nice to be that side that's broken that run."Southee's words underscore the magnitude of New Zealand's accomplishment. India is renowned for its formidable home record, with its spinners wreaking havoc on visiting batsmen. However, the Kiwis defied the odds, showcasing their adaptability and skill in challenging conditions.The victory is a testament to the depth and quality of New Zealand's squad. Led by the experienced Kane Williamson, the team boasts a balanced attack and a resilient batting lineup. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and outplay India on their home turf is a testament to their tactical acumen and mental fortitude.New Zealand's historic triumph has sent a clear message to other teams worldwide: it is possible to defeat India in India. The Black Caps' victory has inspired hope and belief that even the most formidable teams can be overcome with the right combination of skill, determination, and belief.As the series moves to Mumbai for the third Test, New Zealand will aim to complete a 3-0 clean sweep. India, on the other hand, will be eager to salvage some pride and avoid a humiliating whitewash. The final Test promises to be an intriguing battle between two evenly matched teams, with the Kiwis looking to cement their status as one of the world's leading Test sides.

India vs New Zealand Test: India Faces Early Setback in AhmedabadIn the ongoing India vs New Zealand Test match in Ahmedabad, India is facing an uphill battle after New Zealand posted a competitive score of 243 in their first innings. The Indian team suffered an early setback when skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck by Tim Southee.Resuming their innings on Day 2, India will look to regain momentum and establish a solid foundation. The onus will be on the middle order, led by Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, to anchor the innings and build a substantial partnership.New Zealand's bowlers, led by Southee and Trent Boult, will be eager to maintain their dominance and exploit the Indian batting lineup's vulnerability. The pitch in Ahmedabad has shown signs of assistance for the seamers, making it crucial for India's batsmen to adapt quickly and negotiate the challenging conditions.India's bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, will need to step up and restrict New Zealand's scoring rate. The spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, will also play a vital role in containing the opposition and creating wicket-taking opportunities.The match is evenly poised at this stage, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. India will need to show resilience and determination to overcome the early setback and put themselves in a commanding position. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be aiming to capitalize on their advantage and put pressure on the Indian batsmen.The outcome of this Test match will have a significant impact on the series standings. India will be keen to level the series after losing the first Test in Kanpur, while New Zealand will be looking to consolidate their lead and secure a series victory.

Rohit Sharma's Test Woes Continue as Tim Southee Strikes AgainIndian captain Rohit Sharma's struggles in Test cricket extended on Thursday as he was dismissed for a duck on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Kiwi pacer Tim Southee delivered a venomous delivery that left Rohit bamboozled, marking the 14th time Southee has dismissed the Indian skipper across all formats.Southee's delivery was a masterclass in seam bowling. Pitched on a good length around middle and off, the ball moved away off the seam, leaving Rohit completely squared up in defense. As he attempted to defend from the crease, the ball nipped away slightly, clipping the top of off stump after a slight deflection off his back pad.Rohit's dismissal was a major setback for India, who were looking to bounce back from their defeat in the first Test. However, Washington Sundar provided a much-needed boost, making a spectacular return to the Test side with a seven-wicket haul.Sundar's off-spin proved too much for the New Zealand batsmen, as he ripped through their middle order. Fellow off-break bowler Ravichandran Ashwin also chipped in with three wickets, as New Zealand were bundled out for 259 in 79.1 overs.At the close of play, India were 16 for 1, with Yashasvi Jaiswal on six and Shubman Gill on ten. The hosts trail by 243 runs, but will be hoping to make a strong comeback on day two.

Former New Zealand captain Tim Southee faces an uncertain future in the Test team ahead of the upcoming series against India. Southee's recent form has been underwhelming, with only eight wickets at an average of 73.12 in Tests this year.With Southee stepping down as captain, New Zealand's bowling attack is up for debate. The team could opt for just two quicks, with Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke as the likely candidates. If they choose to play three quicks, Southee's experience would be weighed against the extra pace of Ben Sears.The balance of the attack also affects the lower-order batting. Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell are spin-bowling options, but Bengaluru's pitch favors fast bowlers. If three quicks are selected, Henry or Southee would need to contribute with the bat.Southee is working with bowling coach Jacob Oram to rediscover his wicket-taking form. He has been studying video from successful periods in his career, which has yielded 382 Test wickets.Head coach Gary Stead acknowledged that Southee's absence as captain allows for greater flexibility in selection. However, he emphasized that the team's priority is to field the best possible bowling attack.Stead also confirmed that Will Young is likely to bat at No. 3 in the first Test in the absence of Kane Williamson, who is recovering from a groin strain. Williamson's availability for the second Test remains uncertain.Despite India's injury to Mohammed Shami, Stead noted the depth of their bowling talent. He said, "If they have an injury it doesn't seem to effect them like other teams. There's someone else who can come in who is equally adept."

Tim Southee, the veteran New Zealand fast bowler, has relinquished his role as Test captain following the team's disappointing series defeat in Sri Lanka. Southee, who took over the captaincy from Kane Williamson in 2022, has led the Blackcaps in 14 Tests, winning six, losing six, and drawing two.Southee's decision to step down stems from his belief that it is in the best interests of the team. He expressed his honor and privilege in captaining the Blackcaps in the Test format, but acknowledged that he needs to focus on his own performances to regain his best form."I believe the way I can best serve the team moving forward is focusing on my performances on the field and getting back to my best, to continue taking wickets and helping New Zealand win Test matches," Southee said.Southee's form has been under scrutiny this year, with the 34-year-old taking just 12 wickets in his last eight Tests. His place in the team for the upcoming tour of India was uncertain, but he will now return to the selection mix without the burden of captaincy.Tom Latham, who has previously captained the Test side on nine occasions, will take over the reins from Southee. Latham is a highly respected figure within the team and has a proven track record of success.Head coach Gary Stead praised Southee's selflessness and acknowledged his continued importance to the Test side. "Tim's a fantastic player and a very good leader who is held in high regard by the players and support staff," Stead said. "He's one of our greatest ever players and we still very much see him playing a part in our Test side moving forward."NZC CEO Scott Weenink echoed Stead's sentiments, commending Southee's leadership and team-first attitude. "To me, that's the sign of a true leader in every sense of the word," Weenink said.New Zealand's 15-player squad for the three-Test tour of India will be announced in the coming days.

New Zealand's recent Test series loss to Sri Lanka may have been a disappointing outcome, but a closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture. In the first Test, the Kiwis pushed Sri Lanka to the brink, falling short by just 68 runs in the chase. They also had the hosts on the ropes on several occasions, but were unable to capitalize.Captain Tim Southee acknowledged that the team had its moments, particularly in the first innings of the first Test. "If we were able to push on there and gain a bit more of a lead, things may have been different in the series," he said.Losing the toss in the second Test proved to be a significant disadvantage for New Zealand. The team missed multiple catches and a stumping chance on the opening day, which Southee admitted was uncharacteristic. "It's something that us as a Kiwi side, we pride ourselves on, so we'll be looking to improve in that area as well," he said.Despite the setbacks, the series provided valuable experience for New Zealand's bowlers and batters. Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Glenn Phillips bowled over 100 overs in the second Test alone, which Southee believes will be invaluable in the upcoming tour of India."I think just getting those overs into the spinners [was important]," Southee said. "They will all learn from that and we will hopefully do well in India."As for the batters, their response to the horror morning session on day three of the second Test offered a more accurate reflection of their potential. Despite the margin of defeat, New Zealand notched up their highest score in Galle - 360 - at an impressive run rate of 4.40 per over."The second innings was much more the way we want to play," Southee said. "The guys were quite positive and played in a more positive manner. It was a big shift from the first innings.""I think it was a much clearer way for the guys to play. They they went out and they played their shots. I don't think it was reckless at any stage... It was about picking the right moments to attack and right moments to defend."While the series loss is a setback, the experiences gained in Galle will undoubtedly benefit New Zealand in the future. The team will look to build on the positives and improve in the areas where they fell short.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand locked horns in the second Test match in Galle, with the visitors opting to bowl first after winning the toss. The pitch, number 7, offered less grass and a firmer surface, providing a challenge for the batsmen.New Zealand's Tim Southee struck early, dismissing Pathum Nissanka for a duck in the first over. Nissanka nicked a delivery that nipped away from him, giving Tom Blundell a simple catch. Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal steadied the Sri Lankan innings, but the hosts struggled to build partnerships.William O'Rourke, sharing the new ball with Southee, bowled a maiden over to Karunaratne. However, he spilled a chance to dismiss the left-hander in his next over, with Daryl Mitchell dropping a catch at first slip.Chandimal, who came in at number 3, showed some aggression, hitting a boundary off Southee. However, he was dismissed for 41 by Ajaz Patel, who bowled a flatter delivery that Chandimal could only tap towards cover-point.Karunaratne, who had been watchful throughout his innings, was eventually dismissed for 28 by O'Rourke. The left-hander was caught behind after edging a delivery that swung away from him.Sri Lanka's middle order failed to make significant contributions, with Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, and Dhananjaya de Silva all falling cheaply. Kusal Mendis, the wicket-keeper, provided some resistance with a 25-ball 20, but he was eventually dismissed by Patel.At the end of the day's play, Sri Lanka were struggling at 122/7, with Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peiris at the crease. New Zealand's bowlers had been disciplined and accurate, with Southee, Patel, and O'Rourke sharing the wickets.