New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee has reaffirmed his commitment to red-ball cricket, stating that it remains his top priority despite the growing allure of T20 leagues.
Southee, who recently participated in England’s The Hundred league and emerged as the leading wicket-taker, expressed his enduring passion for Test cricket, describing it as the “pinnacle” of the sport.
“Test cricket is still the pinnacle for me, and it’s the format I hold closest to my heart,” Southee said. While he enjoys the fast-paced nature of T20 formats, he emphasized that the challenges and skills honed in shorter formats ultimately contribute to his overall game, including Tests.
New Zealand is set to embark on a tour of Asia, where they will play six Test matches including one against Afghanistan in India, two against Sri Lanka, and three against India.
While the tight schedule that could clash with various T20 leagues, New Zealand players are expected to prioritize international commitments.
When questioned about the increasing trend of players opting for T20 leagues over international duties, Southee acknowledged the complexity of the issue. “I don’t have the answers. Right now, I don’t think many people do. So I think it’s about working out what’s best for each individual board and their players.”
Southee also addressed the possibility of being benched during the upcoming Asia tour, acknowledging that the conditions might favor spinners.
However, he expressed his desire to play in all available Tests, emphasizing his love for the format and the need to manage workloads effectively.
“I love Test cricket, but I understand there’s balance to the side and obviously it’s not easy as a pace bowler to be able to play nine Test matches in the next few months. So there’s a lot of Test cricket so it’s all about managing the workloads. But for me, as long as you’re fit and ready to go, then I’d like to play every game.” he concluded.