Retirement a tough decision but it's the right one: New Zealand's Tim Southee

Tim Southee has said that the decision to retire from international cricket was the right one ahead of the New Zealand vs England Test series. Southee made his debut back in 2008.

In Short

• Southee picked up 385 wickets in 104 matches
• The veteran said it was time for New Zealand's young pacers to take the team forward
• The New Zealand vs England series will start on November 28

New Zealand pacer Tim Southee admitted that retiring from international cricket was a tough decision but the right one on November 15, Friday. Southee would announce that the upcoming series against England will be his last one, unless the Blackcaps can make it to the World Test Championship final next year.

With 385 Test wickets across 104 matches, Southee stands as New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Remarkably, he’s also the only bowler worldwide to reach the unique milestone of claiming over 300 wickets in Tests, 200 in ODIs, and 100 in T20Is. Speaking to the reporters after announcing his decision, the pacer said that playing his last 3 home Tests in Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton will be emotional.

Southee said that it was time for the young pacers to drive the team forward and it was a pleasure to work with them.

"One last chance at three grounds that have been pretty good to me and places I really love playing at. It's a tough decision but I think it's the right one. [We've] also got some promising young bowlers coming through, which I've thoroughly enjoyed working alongside and hopefully taught them a thing or two along the way. And they've certainly taught me a thing or two as well, so that's been a pleasure and it's their time now to keep driving this team forward," said Southee.

'It feels right'

Southee will get a chance to end his career against England, the team he made his debut as a 19-year-old back in 2008. The pacer it felt right to have his career come a full circle and called the series against England a marquee one.

"I guess you look at what's in front of you and last year was that World Cup and we had the T20 World Cup earlier this year," Southee told reporters about how he reached the decision. "We had this chunk of Test cricket, which I guess was all exciting along the last 12 months, and you near the end of that exciting part and you look forward and it's a marquee series against a great opposition (England), one obviously which I started against all those years ago, and it feels right."

The New Zealand vs England series will start on November 28.