Black Cap Tim Southee: 'It's now Tom's time'

Tim Southee said he was not pushed into stepping down as Black Caps test captain. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

A poor team and personal performance in Sri Lanka was the catalyst for Tim Southee stepping aside as captain of the Black Caps test side.

Southee took the reins from Kane Williamson in 2022, but felt as he nears the end of his career, it was time to hand them back.

The veteran seamer said resigning was not something he had considered prior to the two test series defeat in Sri Lanka.

"I was excited about the chance to play nine test matches, it certainly wasn't something I thought about until this series, it was a tough one but like I've done for last 17 years, it was done for the best interests of the team."

Southee has struggled to make an impact with the ball in recent tests, in just one innings from his last 15 has he taken more than one wicket, his best figures 2/46 back in February.

"No one is getting any younger, the end is certainly closer to the beginning, and at 35 I think its probably time for those younger guys to step into the job."

On the back of a record loss in Galle, Southee stressed that it was his call alone to step down.

"The guys are hurting like you'd expect, as professional sportsmen you want to win, it was a disappointing tour, but the guys will dust themselves off, there are two very exciting series ahead of us so it was just about what's best for the team moving forward."

Tom Latham will lead the side in the series in India, an appointment New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink said was an easy one.

"He was the unanimous choice, he has the full support of the side and is guaranteed to play all matches."

Southee agreed that Latham was the right man for the job.

"He's a great leader among the guys and Ill be to support him along the way. It's now Tom's time to keep moving this team forward."

Acknowledging his form slump, Southee conceded only time will tell how much the captaincy affected his game.

"I guess you look at the results, it hasn't been been ideal over the last wee while, and you can probably marry the two up and say that, but it was a job I really enjoyed doing. I care that about this side, and I enjoyed my time. So I guess we'll see over the next wee while."

He said he has no immediate plans to reassess his playing future.

"I love Test cricket. It's a game I care deeply about, and I love playing so it would be nice to be part of those six test matches moving forward. My record in the sub-continent has been pretty good over the years, I'd like to think I can still contribute in that part of the world."

Southee said despite recent results, the side was in a good place.

"We have an exciting group especially with with the young bowlers which I'm really enjoying working with and seeing their progress."

He also would not rule out following a similar path to that of his great mate Trent Boult, playing in T20 leagues as a free agent.

"There are all options, but I have committed to New Zealand cricket for now."

Questions were also being asked of coach Gary Stead's ability to lead the Black Caps, but both Southee and Weenink quashed any rumours of an internal rift.

"Everyone has to take responsibility for the results, all the players, all the staff and all the support staff," Weenink said.

"Gary's contract is up middle of next year, he's absolutely got my full support and confidence."

With a number of "generational" players having retired in recent years, Weenink said a dip in results was inevitable.

"What we saw was ten years of unprecedented success, there always going to be a drop in results but we are comfortable with the depth we have coming through. My expectation is the team will be energised by this change."

The Black Caps arrived home from Sri Lanka this morning and will spend the next ten days with family before flying to India for the three test series kicking off on October 16.