Southee replaces Williamson as New Zealand test captain

Web Desk

15th Dec, 2022. 03:14 pm
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Kane Williamson has stepped down as New Zealand’s Test captain.
Williamson led New Zealand in 40 tests, with 22 wins, 10 losses, and 8 draws.
The test series begins on Dec. 26 in Karachi and ends on Jan. 3 in Multan.

New Zealand cricket board (NZC) said on Thursday that Kane Williamson has stepped down as Test captain and that Tim Southee has taken his place.

After taking over as captain in 2016, Williamson led New Zealand in 40 tests, with 22 wins, 10 losses, and 8 draws. In the first World Test Championship final in 2021, he led the team to a win over India.

Williamson said, “For me, test cricket is the pinnacle of the game, and I’ve enjoyed the challenges of leading the side in the format.”

“Captaincy comes with an increased workload on and off the field and at this stage of my career I feel the time is right for this decision.”

Williamson will still be the white-ball captain for New Zealand, and he said he will keep playing in all three formats.

Southee, who was captain for 22 Twenty20 internationals between 2017 and 2019, will lead the test team on their next assignment, a two-match series in Pakistan starting later this month.

Southee said, “It’s been a surreal few days, and it’s just a massive honour to be appointed as test captain.”

“I love test cricket, it’s the ultimate challenge, and I’m really excited by the opportunity to lead the team in this format.”

New Zealand announces tour squad for Pakistan

Thursday was also the day that New Zealand Cricket announced their team for their upcoming tour of Pakistan. Spinner Ish Sodhi made a comeback to the Test team four years after his last appearance in the longest format.

Glenn Phillips, a batsman, was also on the team. His only previous test match for New Zealand was against Australia in 2020. Fast bowlers Trent Boult (who was not available) and Kyle Jamieson (who had a back injury) did not make the team.

Ish Sodhi, a leg-spinner, is part of New Zealand’s 15-person team that will go to Pakistan for the two-match Test series.

The 30-year-old has been added to the team, along with Glenn Phillips and Blair Tickner, who has never played for Australia before. The series will begin on December 26 in Karachi and end on January 3 in Multan.

“I know all three of the guys have a real passion for the longest form of the game and are looking forward to getting into their red-ball work at the pre-tour camp in Lincoln this week,” New Zealand Coach Gary Stead said about the three players’ inclusion in the squad.

The Blackcaps coach said that they added Sodhi after looking at the current conditions and style of play in the Test series between Pakistan and England.

New Zealand Squad:

Tim Southee (captain), Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, and Will Young.