Tim Southee has stepped down as New Zealand’s Test captain, just weeks before their 3-match Test series against India, citing his desire to focus on his on-field performances ¹ ² ³. This decision comes after New Zealand’s 2-0 defeat to Sri Lanka in their recent Test series.
Southee, who took over as captain from Kane Williamson in December 2022, led the team in 14 Test matches, securing six wins, six losses, and two draws ¹ ². He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the team, calling it an “absolute honour and a privilege” ¹ ².
Tom Latham will now take the reins as New Zealand’s Test captain, with the upcoming India series being his first major challenge ¹ ² ³. Latham has previous experience leading the team, having captained New Zealand nine times between 2020 and 2022 ¹.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead praised Southee’s selflessness, acknowledging that stepping down as captain wasn’t an easy decision ¹ ². Stead emphasized that Southee remains a crucial player for the team and will continue to contribute to their success ¹ ².
The three-match Test series between New Zealand and India begins on October 16 in Bengaluru ².
