Happy Birthday Tim Southee: When he first took the field against England in Napier in 2008, many felt it was a raw talent that could turn New Zealand’s fortunes. Ever since he scored 77 runs on debut and also took five wickets for 55 runs. Yes, we are talking about New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee. Today is Tim’s 32nd birthday. Tim is one of New Zealand’s most important bowlers. In front of his pace inside the field, the great batsmen of the world are also seen asking for water.
Born on 11 December 1988, Tim Southee took 17 wickets at an impressive average in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. There were many stars in that 2008 Under-19 World Cup who went on to become great players of the game. Tim Southee made his debut against England in the deciding Test at Napier and took five for 55 with the ball. He scored 77 runs with the bat and hit nine sixes. Although New Zealand lost the Test match, the world saw the arrival of a new star.
Since his debut, Tim Southee has become one of the most important members of the New Zealand cricket team which is currently experiencing a revival in modern cricket. Before Tim Southee, there were bowlers who used to deliver goods for New Zealand but the youngster’s swing and accuracy became his trademark. His new-ball association with Trent Boult has been one of the major reasons New Zealand has become a force to be reckoned with in Test cricket at home. When it comes to ODIs, Southee has had some exceptional performances.
However, his bowling and batting aside, he is one of the few bowlers who have consistently troubled Virat Kohli across formats. When one looks at the number of dismissals combined, Tim Southee tops the list as the greatest batsman he has dismissed in the modern era. On the occasion of his birthday, here are some magical moments from Tim Southee’s career, one of New Zealand’s best performances ever.
Tim Southee always did his best for England at any level of cricket. During the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup tie at a cake tin in Wellington, Tim Southee made a bowling performance for the ages, taking 7/33 to beat England. Those figures remained the best by a New Zealand bowler in World Cup history, and his magic ensured that New Zealand won the day-night match before the lights could go on.
However, it is his combination with Trent Boult that has propelled New Zealand cricket to great heights in Test cricket. Tim Southee and Trent Boult have been part of 30 Test victories for New Zealand since coming together as a group in 2011. Boult and Southee have emerged as the best new ball opening pair in Tests and this establishes a strong bond. Between the two ever since they played the 2008 Under-19 World Cup. Both average 27.77 and have taken 127 wickets in all the matches New Zealand have won. Really dynamic pairing.
Tim Southee is the only bowler from New Zealand to take five wickets in all formats of the game. In fact, Tim Southee also has a hat-trick and it came in T20Is against Pakistan in 2010. Saudi’s versatility in all conditions makes him the last bowler in a career for New Zealand which is now in its 13th year.
Tim Southee has dismissed Virat Kohli for the combined most number of times in all formats of cricket. Be it Tests, ODIs or T20Is, Southee has outperformed Virat Kohli than any other bowler. Southee is the first bowler to have dismissed Virat Kohli 10 times in international cricket and that in itself is a huge claim to fame.