Tim Southee has been the key member of New Zealand’s setup, leading their pace attack for 16 years. He showed that he was going to have a remarkable career for the Black Caps with his brilliant performances on his Test debut in 2008.
Sixteen years later, Southee brought down the curtains on his Test career, retiring as New Zealand’s finest pacer. In between these years, he displayed his pace bowling skills while marching to new landmarks.
Some of these landmarks are quite special. And we will list Southee’s records in international cricket here.
Most Wickets for New Zealand in All Formats
Tim Southee is leading the wicket charts for the Black Caps across formats. He has racked up 776 scalps in all formats combined.
In fact, he is the only New Zealand bowler to take 700 wickets in international cricket. His all-format wicket tally places him in the tenth spot in the world.
Out of his total wickets, 391 came in Tests, which is the second-most for the Kiwis after Richard Hadlee (431). Southee is also one of the six New Zealand bowlers with 200-plus, while he has the most T20I wickets for them.
Most Test Wickets in New Zealand
Southee picked up 391 Test scalps, with 234 of them coming at his home in New Zealand. This is the highest number of wickets by a Kiwi bowler in home conditions, with Hadlee being the other with 200-plus victims at home.
Second-Most Wickets for New Zealand in ODI World Cup
Southee was a consistent performer for the Kiwis in the 50-over World Cup, leading their bowling attack in four editions between 2011 and 2023.
He formed a lethal opening combination with Trent Boult and racked up the second-most scalps in World Cup history for New Zealand. Southee ended up with 41 wickets in 22 appearances behind his partner Boult (53).
First New Zealand Bowler to 100 and 150 T20I Wickets
Southee has been equally effective in limited-overs cricket, providing early breakthroughs with the new ball. In 2021, he became the first New Zealand bowler to grab 100 scalps in the T20I format and overall only the second pacer to reach the milestone.
Fast forward to three years, and the right-arm quick crossed the 150-wicket barrier, becoming the first-ever bowler to do so in the shortest format.
100-plus Wickets in Each Format
When Southee struck his 100th T20I wicket, he became only the third bowler to have 100 or more scalps in each format. Right now, he has 391 (Test), 221 (ODI), and 164 (T20I) wickets, respectively, in the three formats.
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100-plus Matches in Each Format
Apart from his wicket-taking ability, Southee remained fit for the large part of his career. And thanks to that, the pacer managed to feature in 100-plus matches in each format.
In fact, Southee is the only pacer to play 100-plus matches in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, with the other three being batters. He donned the New Zealand colours in 107 Tests, 161 ODIs, and 126 T20Is.
Second-Most Sixes for New Zealand in Tests
Well, Southee is one of New Zealand’s best bowlers, he is also one of their best six-hitters in Test cricket. Despite being a bowler, he has strength in his hand to clear the fence with ease.
And Southee showcased it on many occasions, smashing 98 maximums in the red-ball cricket. He is just behind Brendon McCullum’s 107 sixes, and overall, he is level with Chris Gayle’s tally!
Second-Fastest Fifty and Most Sixes on Test Debut
Southee had a rocking start to his Test career, where he picked up a fifer in the first innings against England in 2008. Then he displayed his flair with the bat, hammering an unbeaten 77 off 40 balls, including 4 fours and 9 sixes, at a strike rate of 192.50.
Southee’s maiden fifty came off 29 balls, which is the fastest by a batter on his Test debut. His 9 sixes are also the most by a batter on his career debut, with Kyle Mayers (7) being the only other batter with five-plus maximums.
2000 Runs, 200 Wickets, and 50 Catches in Tests
By now you must have got an idea about his batting exploits, which complemented well with his bowling and fielding skills. That places Southee among 13 cricketers who have 2000 runs, 200 wickets, and 50 catches in Test cricket.
The right-arm pacer amassed 2245 runs, grabbed 391 scalps, and pouched 86 catches in 107 games. He is one of the two New Zealanders to achieve this treble, along with Daniel Vettori.
2000-plus Test Runs Without a Century
Southee’s 2245 Test runs came without him hitting a century in the format. His highest score remains the 77 not out accrued on his debut.
His run tally places him among the five players who have scored 2000-plus runs without a hundred in Test cricket.
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