Tim Southee: The Swing King of New Zealand Cricket – Career, Team, and 5 Most Memorable Moments
**Let's Begin**
Tim Southee is one of New Zealand’s finest fast bowlers, famed for his devastating swing bowling, pinpoint accuracy, and ability to produce in crunch occasions. A major player in the Black Caps' development as a cricketing superpower, Southee has been vital in New Zealand’s success across all forms.
In this blog, we’ll explore: - **Tim Southee’s career and involvement in the New Zealand cricket team** - ** How many players are in New Zealand’s current squad? ** - **5 most memorable and surprising moments of his career**
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Tim Southee’s Cricket Career & Role in New Zealand Cricket
### **Early Career & Rise to Prominence** Timothy Grant Southee was born on **December 11, 1988**, in Whangarei, New Zealand. He broke onto the international scene as a **19-year-old** in 2008, making his Test debut against England and promptly made a mark with a **five-wicket haul** and a quickfire 77* with the bat.
### **Playing Style & Strengths** - **Master of Swing:** Southee specializes at swinging the ball both directions, especially in cloudy circumstances.
- **Death Bowling Specialist:** Known for his yorkers and slower deliveries in limited-overs cricket.
- **Handy Lower-Order Batsman:** Has performed key cameos, including a **fastest 50 in Tests by a New Zealander** (off 29 balls).
### **Teams He Represents** - **International:** New Zealand (Tests, ODIs, T20Is) - **Domestic:** Northern Districts (NZ), Essex (County Cricket), Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians (IPL)
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## **How Many Players Are in New Zealand’s Current Squad?** New Zealand’s cricket squad normally comprises of **15-20 players** across forms. As of 2024, their **Test squad** contains about **16-18 players**, while their **white-ball teams (ODIs & T20Is)** alternate between **15-18 players**.
### **Key Players Alongside Southee in NZ Cricket** - **Kane Williamson (Captain, Batsman)** - **Trent Boult (Fast Bowler, Southee’s Pace Partner)** - **Devon Conway (Batsman, Wicketkeeper)** - **Mitchell Santner (Spin All-rounder)** - **Daryl Mitchell (Power-hitting All-rounder)**
Southee has regularly shared the new ball with **Trent Boult**, making one of the most devastating fast-bowling partnerships in recent cricket.
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5 Most Memorable & Shocking Moments in Tim Southee’s Career
### **1. Dream Test Debut: 5-Wicket Haul & Explosive Batting (2008)** **Match:** New Zealand against England, 1st Test, Napier (2008)
**Performance:** - ** Bowling:** 5/55 in the first innings - **Batting:** Smashed 77* off 40 balls (9 sixes) in the second innings
**Why It Was Shocking?** At barely **19 years old**, Southee revealed himself as a potential star with a superb all-round performance. His aggressive batting (including hitting **Monty Panesar for five sixes in an over**) left fans and analysts in awe.
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### **2. 7/33 versus England - One of NZ’s Greatest Bowling Spells (2015) ** **Match:** New Zealand against England, 4th ODI, Nottingham (2015)
**Performance:** - **Bowling Figures:** 7/33 (9 overs) - **Result:** England fell from 171/3 to 192 all out
**Why It Was Memorable?** This remains **New Zealand’s best-ever ODI bowling figures**. Southee’s swing and seam movement decimated England’s batting order, confirming his capacity to dominate in major situations.
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### **3. 2019 World Cup Final – Heartbreak Against England** **Match:** New Zealand vs England, ICC World Cup Final, Lord’s (2019)
**Performance:** - ** Bowling:** 1/45 in 10 overs - **Super Over Drama:** NZ lost on boundary count following a tie
**Why It Was Shocking?** One of cricket’s **most sad moments**, Southee and NZ were part of a **unprecedented tie** in both the main match and Super Over. The **boundary count rule** stripped them of the trophy, generating global discussion.
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### **4. 2021 World Test Championship (WTC) Triumph – Southee’s Redemption** **Match:** New Zealand versus India, WTC Final, Southampton (2021)
**Performance:** - **Bowling:** Key wickets in both innings - **Result:** NZ won by **8 wickets**, collecting their first ICC trophy
**Why It Was Memorable?**
After years of near-misses (2015 & 2019 World Cup finals), Southee played a significant part in NZ’s **historic WTC win**, establishing his status as a big-match bowler.
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### **5. Becoming New Zealand’s Highest Wicket-Taker in T20Is (2022)** **Milestone:** Surpassed **Ish Sodhi** to become NZ’s **leading T20I wicket-taker** (130+ wickets)
**Why It Was Significant?** Southee exhibited his versatility across forms, displaying his longevity and competence in the shortest format, where he remains a **death-over specialist**.
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## **Conclusion: Tim Southee’s Legacy in Cricket** From a **teenage prodigy** to a **New Zealand legend**, Tim Southee has been a pillar of consistency and match-winning performances. Whether it’s his **record-breaking spells**, **World Cup heartbreaks**, or **historic triumphs**, Southee’s career is a tribute to his skill and resilience.
As he continues to spearhead New Zealand’s bowling attack, viewers can anticipate more **memorable moments** from one of cricket’s greatest swing bowlers.
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