Following their crushing Test series loss in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, Tim Southee resigned as captain of New Zealand, and Tom Latham will take over.
Veteran seam bowler Southee wished Latham well and stated that it is “best for the team” that he concentrate on his player contribution, less than two years after taking over from Kane Williamson.
Beginning on October 16 in Bangalore, the three-Test tour of India will be led full-time by opening batsman Latham, who has captained the Black Caps in nine Tests.
A New Zealand Cricket statement said Southee would be included in the 15-man tour squad to be named later this week.
Southee said it was a “absolute honour” to lead New Zealand in 14 Tests since December 2022, culminating in six wins, six losses and two ties.
But for the past two years, New Zealand’s performance has suffered, as seen by their 2-0 drubbing at the hands of Sri Lanka in the two-Test series in Galle.
“I’ve always tried to put the team first throughout my career and I believe this decision is the best for the team,” Southee said in a statement.
“I believe the way I can best serve the team moving forward is focusing on my performances on the field and getting back to my best, to continue taking wickets and helping New Zealand win Test matches.”
Right-armer Southee, who averages 29.9 and has taken 382 wickets in 102 appearances, is ranked second on New Zealand’s Test wicket-taking chart, after Richard Hadlee.
Southee’s leadership was appreciated by coach Gary Stead, who expressed his hope that the right-armer will keep being a formidable player with the ball.
“It’s not easy giving up something you love, but Tim is a true team-man and he’s made the decision with the team’s best interests at heart,” Stead said.
“He’s one of our greatest ever players and we still very much see him playing a part in our Test side moving forward.”
Williamson resigned in June, meaning New Zealand is currently without an official captain for the white ball formats.
Like Southee, Williamson turned down a central contract in order to play for opportunities in offshore Twenty20 leagues, although he will still play for the Black Caps.
