Former New Zealand captain Tim Southee announced that his upcoming Test series against England will be his last, with the 35-year-old set to retire at his home ground in Hamilton. A mainstay in New Zealand's bowling attack since his debut in 2008, Southee has taken 385 wickets in 104 Tests, ranking second to Richard Hadlee among New Zealand's wicket-takers.

Southee expressed that representing New Zealand had always been his dream, but after a successful career, the time felt right to step away from the game. He said Test cricket holds a special place in his heart, and he couldn’t think of a better way to end his career than playing against the same team, England, at the same grounds where it all began.

Having captained New Zealand in 2022, leading the team to six wins and two draws, Southee handed over the captaincy to Tom Latham last month. His versatility as an all-rounder, having taken over 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets, and 100 T20 wickets, solidifies his legacy in world cricket.

New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink praised Southee as one of the country's finest players, noting his incredible experience and knowledge of the game. Blackcaps coach Gary Stead also lauded Southee's resilience and durability, highlighting his dedication and big-match mentality.

After the England series, Southee will decide whether he will play a final series in white-ball cricket, with New Zealand set to face Sri Lanka in three ODIs and T20s in December.