Former New Zealand captain Tim Southee will play his last international match at his home ground in Hamilton in December
Kiwi pacer Southee to retire after home Tests against England
Veteran New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee will retire from international cricket when the Black Caps' home Test series against England finishes in December.
The 35-year-old, who is second on New Zealand's Test wicket-taking list behind Richard Hadlee with 385, says the third Test on his home ground in Hamilton will be his last.
Southee relinquished the Test captaincy to Tom Latham ahead of New Zealand's recent 3-0 sweep of India. He is one of six New Zealanders to have played more than 100 Tests.
Southee has also played 161 ODIs and 126 Twenty20 internationals.
"Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up," he said.
"To play for the Black Caps for 18 years has been the greatest honour and privilege, but the time feels right to now step away from the game that has given so much to me."
Southee began his Test career aged 19 against England in Napier in 2008, taking 5-55 in the first innings and scoring 77 not out in the second.
He is the only player to have taken 300 wickets in Tests, 200 in one-day internationals and 100 in T20 internationals.
"It's been an amazing ride and I wouldn't change a thing," he said.
Black Caps coach Gary Stead saluted Southee's contribution to the New Zealand team.
"Tim's durability and resilience has been outstanding," he said. "He's an incredibly tough competitor who gets himself up for big occasions and is rarely injured."
The England series begins at Christchurch on November 28. The second Test is at Wellington from December 6 and the third starts at Hamilton on December 14.