Tim Southee: Leading Wicket Taker In New Zealand Cricket History

At the end of the historic Pakistan tour, the 34-year-old right-arm pacer Tim Southee is now the leading wicket-taker in New Zealand international cricket history.

Last Friday (13 January 2023), New Zealand won the thrilling three-match ODI series decider by two wickets and recorded their first ODI bilateral series win in Pakistan (a series with at least two ODIs).

Tim Southee has taken 697 international wickets

During that last ODI, Tim Southee picked up crucial three wickets in the death overs as he finished with the bowling figures of 10-0-56-3. When he dismissed the set Pakistan batter Agha Salman (45) in his last over, Southee surpassed the legendary Blackcaps all-rounder Daniel Vettori on the top spot in the list of New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker in international cricket history.

While the left-arm spinner Vettori took 696 wickets in his international career, the right-arm pacer Southee has taken 697 international wickets. Southee is three wickets away from becoming the 10th pacer and first New Zealand bowler to complete 700 international wickets.  

New Zealand’s most wicket-taker: International Cricket

New Zealand’s most wicket-taker: Test

Legendary cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee is still New Zealand’s leading Test wicket-taker, while Southee is in the third place in the list of most Test wickets for the Black Caps.

New Zealand’s most wicket-taker: ODI

In the meantime, Daniel Vettori is the record holder in most ODI wickets for New Zealand. Once again, Southee is in the third spot on the list of New Zealand’s most ODI wicket-takers.

New Zealand’s most wicket-taker: T20I

Southee is not only New Zealand’s most T20I wicket-taker, but he is also the leading T20I wicket-taker in the world.

Also Read | Top 10 highest wicket taker in ODIs