NZ vs PAK: Tim Southee enters special ‘300’ club, sets sight on more success
Tim Southee claimed his 300th Test Wicket after he dismissed Haris Sohail on Day four of the first Test match. Southee became only the third New Zealand bowler to achieve this feat after the legendary, Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori.
When Southee had dismissed Shan Masood for his 299th Test wicket, Neil Wagner, the Kiwi left arm pacer engulfed Southee in a bear hug, thinking it was his 300th Test wicket. However, he had to wait only a little longer as Southee dismissed Sohail to reach the feat.
Southee remarked that it was a pretty cool experience to enter the 300 club, which had only 34 members prior to his arrival.
“Wags [Wagner] was actually one ahead of everyone else. He thought [number 300] was the first one and came in and gave me a big hug. I was like, ‘What’s going on here mate?,” Southee said.
“It is special. Obviously not many people have been able to do it and the two that have are two of our greatest ever cricketers. It’s nice to be in that bracket with those guys. When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was play cricket for New Zealand and to sit here after a reasonable time of doing that, having achieved a couple of things along the way, it’s a pretty cool feeling.”
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I’d love to play for as long as I possibly can: Southee
New Zealand are in the drivers seat in the first Test match, with Pakistan needing another 302 runs to win with just seven wickets in hand. “We know it’s going to be a tough grind tomorrow but that’s the beauty of Test cricket; the beauty of turning up on day five and having the chance to win a Test match for your country,” Southee said. “We’re giving Kyle [Jamieson] a bit of stick. It’s his first day five in a Test match. Test cricket is tough, it’s hard and when you turn up on day five with all three results still possible, it’s a great feeling.”
Tim Southee also stated that he was nowhere close to his retirement and gave the example of James Anderson for his continued success.
“I’d love to play for as long as I possibly can,” he said. “Obviously there are high standards that come with representing New Zealand and as long as you can hold those standards, then age is only a number,” Southee added.
“I only just turned 32 the other day – people probably think I’m a little older than what I am – but it’s something I love doing. [But] You look at the likes of [England seamer] James Anderson, achieving what he’s been achieving at the age of 38, and Ross as well, the way he seems to be getting better and better with age. It’s just a number and as long as I can maintain the standards that are required at this level then I’d love to continue to play.”