Tim Southee Creates T20I History ;In a defining moment on August 30th, New Zealand’s T20I captain, Tim Southee, etched his name in cricketing history. During the first T20I of a gripping four-match series against England at Chester-le-Street, Southee surpassed all expectations by becoming the highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket. The monumental achievement arrived when he dismissed English opener Jonny Bairstow, securing his 141st scalp.
Heading into the match, Southee was level with Bangladesh’s celebrated all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, both boasting 140 wickets each. However, the game saw Southee ascend to the summit, now holding the record with a one-wicket lead over Shakib. With Bangladesh not scheduled for a T20I in the foreseeable future, Southee’s place at the top appears secure.
During the match, as New Zealand defended a total of 139, Southee swiftly made an impact. An outswinging delivery flummoxed Bairstow, resulting in a delicate nick that landed in the safe hands of Daryl Mitchell in the slip cordon. Despite this early breakthrough, the tide of the game turned as Dawid Malan and Harry Brook steered England to victory.\
England’s pursuit concluded in the 14th over, with 36 balls to spare and merely three wickets lost. Southee, while achieving a personal milestone of immense significance, found himself in a bittersweet position. The looming challenge for New Zealand is to either secure the series or stage a strong comeback against the reigning T20 world champions.
Tim Southee, a seasoned campaigner in the New Zealand cricketing setup, made his T20I debut against England on February 2, 2008. Since then, he has embarked on a remarkable journey in the T20I arena. With a tally of 111 T20Is to his name, Southee’s illustrious career has yielded an impressive 141 wickets, featuring two five-wicket hauls and a four-for. His most exceptional showing occurred in Auckland in 2010 against Pakistan, where he attained his best bowling figures of 5/18.