Dec 13 , (V7N) - Tim Southee, New Zealand’s revered swing bowler, is set to retire from Test cricket after the third match of the ongoing series against England, which begins on Saturday in Hamilton. The 36-year-old will make his 107th and final Test appearance at his home ground, Seddon Park, where a large crowd is expected to pay tribute to his illustrious career.

Southee, who has taken 389 Test wickets, is second only to Sir Richard Hadlee’s 431 wickets in New Zealand’s history. He is also the only bowler to have achieved the milestone of over 300 Test wickets, 200 One-Day International (ODI) wickets (221), and 100 Twenty20 International (T20I) wickets (164).

New Zealand's Test captain, Tom Latham, praised Southee’s leadership and contributions to the team, noting that his legacy extends beyond his remarkable statistics: "He's going to be remembered as one of the greats of our game... the dressing room will miss him."

England's captain, Ben Stokes, also acknowledged Southee's enduring impact, both with ball and bat, recalling his memorable Test debut in 2008, where he struck 77 off 40 balls. Stokes described him as "an incredible servant to New Zealand" and highlighted his tenacity on the field. While Stokes hoped for a fitting send-off for Southee, he also expressed the desire for a win for England in the match.

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