Photo Credit: ICC
New Zealand’s greatest fast bowler Sir Richard Hadlee has congratulated Tim Southee on winning his Medal on the final day of the ANZ New Zealand Cricket Awards and believes the 32-year-old is only getting better.
Southee, who had not previously won the supreme award, was named the winner on the basis of his sheer consistency throughout the summer; at home and abroad, in red and white ball cricket.
Hadlee joined a media zoom call with Southee to salute him.
“You’re a very deserving winner,” Hadlee said.
“We go back 14 years to when I was part of the selection panel who first picked you and to watch you develop over the years into the fine-tuned bowler you are now has been quite remarkable.
“You seem to be in total control of your game and bowling as well as you ever have. You’ve got a simple technique which is easy to repeat, and your skill sets have gone to another level.
“No doubt the 400 Test wickets are in sight and maybe that magic number 431 is in the back of your mind.
“So, I’ll be watching that with some interest and if you are to reach that mark, I’m prepared to sit here and say, ‘it’s time for me to let it go’.
“I would be very satisfied and pleased that it would be you to do it – so there you go there’s a wee bit of motivation for you.
“I really do congratulate you Tim on what you’ve achieved and no doubt you’ve got a few more years to give to New Zealand cricket and the game in general.”
Southee’s 21-22 season saw him claim 36 Test wickets at 23.88 over the judging period, including best figures of six for 43 against England at Lord’s and five crucial wickets against India in the victorious ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton.
The right-arm swing bowler spearheaded the BLACKCAPS attack at the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE and captained the side for the T20 series away to India. He claimed 12 wickets over the T20 season at 19.75 with a best of 3-16 against India.
Southee has now taken 338 Test wickets – 23 fewer than Daniel Vettori and 93 short of the record-holder the award is named after, Sir Richard Hadlee.
