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Tim Southee (Source-X)
New Zealand cricket star Tim Southee is playing the final Test match of his career which began on Saturday. Ben Stokes and his England side formed a wall to give the veteran pacer a warm farewell and showed Southee huge respect as he came out to bat. The 36-year-old has played 107 Tests so far and picked 389 wickets and scored over 2000 runs.
The veteran pacer announced his retirement before the beginning of the series against England. Tom Latham’s side needed a win to keep their hopes of making it to the WTC finals which they had won in 2021. Southee had said that if New Zealand do qualify for the finals he will reverse his decision. England won the series and put New Zealand out of contention.
Seddon Park in Hamilton witnessed emotional scenes as Southee was flanked by his family and led his side to the field. The 36-year-old was the captain of the side during the tour of Sri Lanka in September before stepping down. Southee picked just 4 wickets so far from the opening two games of the series.
England end day on high with quick wickets
Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl as the Kiwis made a good start to the game. Will Young was back in the team as he replaced Devon Conway in the playing XI. The openers added 105 runs for the 1st wicket which came in 30.3 overs. Gus Atkinson gave England the much needed wicket when he dismissed Young for 42 runs.
Tom Latham scored 63 runs before he fell to Matthew Potts who came into the side. Potts also dismissed Kane Williamson for 44 runs that came off 87 balls with 9 hits to the fence. New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals as Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson kept taking wickets.
Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner was not out on 50 from 54 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. Tim Southee scored 23 runs from 10 balls with 1 four and 3 sixes. The Kiwi star needs 2 more sixes to became the 4th player in the history of Test cricket to hit 100 sixes. Southee currently has 98 sixes which is on par with Chris Gayle.