Tim Southee, the New Zealand Test captain and one of the most successful swing bowlers of all time, recently spoke about his experiences and insights on the game.
Southee has enjoyed his role as captain, having worked closely with Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson. He believes that the leadership group plays a crucial role in team success.
New Zealand is currently ranked third in the ICC World Test Championship table, and Southee is optimistic about their chances of reaching the final. He acknowledges the tough matches ahead, especially in the subcontinent.
Southee’s long-standing partnership with Trent Boult has been one of the most formidable new-ball alliances in cricket. He attributes their success to their close friendship, mutual understanding of each other’s game, and complementary skills.
Southee praises Boult’s exceptional ability to swing the ball, particularly in the first over of an innings. He also highlights Boult’s fitness and injury-free record.
India has recently produced several promising pace bowlers, and Southee is not surprised. He believes that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has played a significant role in their development. He is particularly impressed with Mayank Yadav’s pace and control.
Southee has faced some of the greatest batters in the game, including A.B. de Villiers, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag. He considers de Villiers to be the toughest batter he has bowled to across all formats.
Among the bowlers he admires, Southee mentions Glenn McGrath, Jacques Kallis, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, and Kagiso Rabada.
Southee has mixed feelings about the recent trend of “Bazball” in Test cricket, as exemplified by England. While he acknowledges its success, he believes that England’s style may not be sustainable in all conditions. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to different pitches and situations.
Southee expresses concerns about the future of Test cricket, given the increasing popularity of T20 cricket. However, he hopes that measures can be taken to preserve the longest format, which he considers the pinnacle of the game.
New Zealand will tour India later this year, and Southee is eager to perform well. He recalls his best Test figures of seven for 64, which he achieved in Bengaluru in 2012.
Southee is also excited about the emergence of Rachin Ravindra, a young New Zealand cricketer who has shown great promise. He believes that Ravindra has a bright future in the game.
