When it comes to New Zealand cricket, Tim Southee stands out as one of the country’s most consistent and lethal fast bowlers. From swinging the ball under cloudy skies to picking up crucial wickets in limited-overs cricket, Southee’s career is packed with remarkable performances. Let’s dive into his journey, stats, and memorable moments that make him a true Kiwi legend.
Quick Snapshot: Who is Tim Southee?
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Full Name: Tim Southee
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Age: 36 (Born December 11, 1988)
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Birthplace: Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand
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Role: Bowler
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Batting Style: Right-handed
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Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
Southee is primarily known for his swing bowling, often troubling batsmen with both conventional and reverse swing. But don’t underestimate his batting — he has played some handy innings lower down the order.
Tim Southee’s Batting Journey
While Southee is celebrated for his bowling, he has contributed valuable runs for New Zealand across formats.
Test Cricket
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Matches: 107
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Runs: 2,245
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Average: 15.48
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Highest Score: 77
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Fifties: 7
He’s often the “finisher” in tough situations, adding crucial runs in the lower order.
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
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Matches: 161
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Runs: 742
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Average: 12.16
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Highest Score: 55
Even though batting isn’t his primary role, he’s capable of stabilizing innings when the team is in trouble.
T20 Internationals
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Matches: 125
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Runs: 303
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Strike Rate: 139
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Highest Score: 39
In T20s, Southee’s batting is aggressive and situational, often giving New Zealand the extra boost they need in the death overs.
IPL Performances
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Matches: 54
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Runs: 120
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Highest Score: 36
His IPL batting contributions may be small, but they often turn the game in tight situations, especially when wickets fall quickly.
Bowling Brilliance: Tim Southee’s True Strength
Southee’s real impact is with the ball, where he consistently ranks among the top fast bowlers in the world.
Test Cricket
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Wickets: 391 in 107 matches
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Best Innings: 7/64
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Best Match: 10/108
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5-Wicket Hauls: 15
His ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with clever variations, makes him a nightmare for batsmen in long formats.
ODIs
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Wickets: 221
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Best Bowling: 7/33
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Economy: 5.53
Southee is highly dependable in ODIs, often breaking crucial partnerships and controlling the run rate during key stages of the game.
T20 Internationals
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Wickets: 164
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Best Bowling: 5/18
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Economy: 8
Even in the shortest format, Southee adapts perfectly, mixing pace, swing, and subtle cutters to restrict the opposition.
IPL Bowling Stats
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Wickets: 47
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Best Bowling: 3/20
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Economy: 8.67
While the IPL pitches sometimes favor batsmen, Southee has delivered match-winning spells, showcasing his adaptability across conditions.
Career Milestones
Here’s a look at key moments and debuts that shaped Southee’s career:
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T20I Debut: February 5, 2008 vs England at Eden Park
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Last T20I: June 17, 2024 vs Papua New Guinea at Brian Lara Stadium
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Test Debut: March 22, 2008 vs England at McLean Park
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Last Test: December 14, 2024 vs England at Seddon Park
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ODI Debut: June 15, 2008 vs England at Riverside Ground
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Last ODI: November 15, 2023 vs India at Wankhede Stadium
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IPL Debut: April 8, 2011 vs Kolkata Knight Riders at MA Chidambaram Stadium
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Last IPL Match: April 6, 2023 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens
Memorable Performances
Tim Southee has produced several unforgettable spells over the years:
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7/33 in ODIs: A career-defining performance that helped New Zealand dominate.
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7/64 in Tests: A masterclass in swing bowling that dismantled the opposition lineup.
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T20I 5/18: Showcasing his skill in the high-pressure shortest format.
Whether it’s a knockout match or a crucial series decider, Southee always steps up when it matters the most.
Strengths That Set Him Apart
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Swing Mastery: Can move the ball both ways in all conditions.
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Consistency: Reliable wicket-taker in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
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Lower-Order Batting: Can rescue innings with handy contributions.
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Leadership: Experienced campaigner, often mentoring younger bowlers.
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Versatility: Performs in New Zealand, overseas, and franchise leagues like the IPL.
Challenges and Adaptations
Like all great fast bowlers, Southee has faced challenges:
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In subcontinental conditions: Slower pitches require him to rely more on variations than pace.
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Death overs in T20s: Must adapt to aggressive batsmen and flat tracks.
Yet, his game intelligence and skill set ensure he remains effective across all conditions.
Also Read : Ravichandran Ashwin Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
Fun Facts About Tim Southee
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He’s New Zealand’s first-choice swing bowler for nearly two decades.
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Known for his calm demeanor on the field, even in high-pressure moments.
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A handy lower-order hitter, capable of turning matches with quick runs.
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Mentor and role model for younger Kiwis like Trent Boult and Matt Henry.
Why Tim Southee is a Kiwi Legend
Over 16 years of international cricket, Southee has consistently delivered for New Zealand. His ability to swing the ball, bowl long spells, and contribute lower-order runs makes him an all-around asset.
Whether it’s in Tests, ODIs, T20Is, or the IPL, Southee remains one of the most respected and feared bowlers in world cricket.
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In Tests: His swing and seam movement are invaluable in early innings.
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In ODIs: He’s New Zealand’s go-to wicket-taker in crucial phases.
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In T20s: He mixes pace, swing, and cutters to outsmart batsmen.
With over 100 Tests, 160+ ODIs, and 120+ T20Is under his belt, Tim Southee has firmly cemented himself as a modern cricketing great from New Zealand.
