With Southee stepping down as captain, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has appointed Tom Latham as the brand new Check skipper for the Black Caps. Latham, who has prior expertise main New Zealand within the red-ball format, faces a formidable first problem in India. Having captained the Kiwis in 9 Checks, Latham has secured 4 wins and endured 5 losses.
Southee’s resignation follows a disappointing 2-0 collection defeat in opposition to Sri Lanka in Galle, the place he managed solely two wickets.
In the meantime, Southee will stay a part of the Check squad regardless of stepping down as captain, expressing confidence that his “choice is the perfect for the crew.” The seasoned pacer shared his ideas with NZC, stating, “Captaining the BLACKCAPS in a format that’s so particular to me, has been an absolute honour and a privilege. I’ve at all times tried to place the crew first all through my profession and I imagine this choice is the perfect for the crew.” Highlighting that he might be a part of the Check squad, he added, “ I imagine the best way I can greatest serve the crew transferring ahead is specializing in my performances on the sphere and getting again to my greatest, to proceed taking wickets and serving to New Zealand win Check matches.”
Since his debut in 2008, Southee has performed 102 Checks, amassing 382 wickets. After succeeding Kane Williamson as captain in December 2022, he led the crew in 14 matches, attaining 6 wins, 6 losses, and a couple of attracts.
Head coach Gary Stead praised Southee as a “nice servant of New Zealand Cricket” and affirmed that the veteran pacer stays an integral a part of the crew’s plans within the red-ball format.
“Tim’s a unbelievable participant and an excellent chief who’s held in excessive regard by the gamers and assist workers. He’s one among our biggest ever gamers and we nonetheless very a lot see him taking part in an element in our Check facet transferring ahead.” he mentioned,
Tom Latham will now take cost of the Kiwi Check facet, main them on a tour of India for a three-match collection. The primary Check is about to start on October 16 in Bengaluru.