Tim Southee and Kane Williamson, two of the longest-serving and most talented Kiwi cricketers, are about to become the fifth and sixth players to reach the incredible feat of playing 100 Test matches, respectively. The forthcoming Test series against Australia, which begins in Wellington later this month, is expected to see the accomplishment of this historic event.
Captain Southee and former captain Williamson are set to make cricket history, following in the footsteps of the likes of Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum, and Ross Taylor. From the Northern Districts pathway to jointly representing New Zealand at the Under-19 level, the two have had an incredible journey.
As for New Zealand, Williamson is the all-time top run scorer in Test cricket, but Southee, the team’s current captain, is the second-highest wicket-taker. A few of their cricketing achievements have been achieving the 50-test mark together against Zimbabwe back in 2016.
In addition to emphasizing the amazing achievement of playing 100 Tests for one’s country, Blackcaps head coach Gary Stead commended Tim Southee and Kane Williamson for their outstanding contributions to the team. Stead underlined how much endurance, talent, and character are needed to continually advance and handle the demands of Test cricket over a long period of time.
“It is an amazing accomplishment to play 100 tests for your nation. It takes a tremendous amount of endurance and skill, and their ability to continue developing and handle the pressures of Test cricket for an extended length of time is a credit to their character,” the coach stated, as reported by nzc.nz.
Their successes at the Test level are evidence of their extraordinary abilities, and both players have made a lasting impression on New Zealand cricket.
“Tim and Kane remain outstanding ambassadors for the game in New Zealand and significant personalities inside the BLACKCAPS milieu. “They are without a doubt two of the best players to have ever worn the New Zealand Test shirt; their accomplishments at the Test level speak for themselves,” Stead added.
Daryl Mitchell will be back for the two-test series with the Black Caps side as the pair celebrates their approaching milestone. Mitchell, who had a foot injury that kept him out of the second Test match against South Africa and the Australia T20Is, is anticipated to bounce back.
After making his Test debut against England at the Bay Oval last summer, Scott Kuggeleijn returns to the team, replacing the injured Kyle Jamieson. Selector Sam Wells praised Kuggeleijn’s superb showings for New Zealand A in their matchup with Australia A.
“On the most recent New Zealand On a tour to Australia, Scott gave excellent bat and ball performances. At the test level, having someone with real pace with the ball and additional depth at the bat is always beneficial, Wells stated.
With noteworthy performances from debutant Will O’Rourke and the inclusion of spin options in Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and all-rounder Glenn Phillips, the team’s rest of the lineup is unaltered following their historic Test series victory over South Africa.
New Zealand squad for Australia Tests:
Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, and Will Young.
The team will meet in Wellington on February 26 in preparation for the first test, which will take place at the totally reserved Cello Basin Reserve on February 29.
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