New Zealand Cricket stated on Wednesday, October 2, that Tim Southee has resigned as the country’s Test captain and that Tom Latham will assume the position on a full-time basis. Shortly after New Zealand’s 2-0 defeat in the Test series in Sri Lanka, the statement was made. Latham’s first task as captain of the team full-time will be the forthcoming Test series against India.
Southee, the leading pacer for New Zealand, has taken 382 wickets in 102 Test matches for the side since his 2008 debut. After Kane Williamson stepped down as captain in December 2022, he captained the team through 14 Test matches, going 6 victories, 6 losses, and 2 ties.
Southee said he made his resignation choice with the team’s best interests in mind. It’s been an amazing honor and a delight to captain the BLACKCAPS in a format that’s so particular to me, he said. Throughout my career, I have always tried to prioritize the requirements of the team, and I think that this choice is best for the collective.
In my opinion, the best way for me to help the team move ahead is to focus on my on-field efforts and get back to my best to continue taking wickets and helping New Zealand win Test matches. I will support my colleagues like I always do, especially the young bowlers who are making waves on the international scene. I wish Tom all the best in the role and he knows that I’ll be there to support him along the road, just as he has done for me over the years, Southee added.
Head coach of New Zealand, Gary Stead, continued, saying, “The players and support staff think highly of Tim because he’s a fantastic player and a very good leader.” For his nearly 17 years as an international player, he has been a great servant to New Zealand Cricket, and I would like to recognize his humility in resigning as Test captain.
Giving up something you love is never easy, but Tim is a real team player and he made the decision with the good of the team in mind. Stead said We still envisage him playing to our Test side going forward; he’s one of our best players ever.
New Zealand, the inaugural World Test Championship winners, are now placed sixth in the WTC table. They will take on the top-ranked Indian team in three Test matches, which will be held in Bengaluru (October 16–20), Pune (October 24-28), and Mumbai (November 1–5).
