Southee To Lead Blackcaps In Test As Williamson Steps Down

Wellington: New Zealand will see out the rest of their World Test Championship campaign with a new captain, with Kane Williamson handing responsibilities to Tim Southee.

New Zealand Cricket made the announcement that Williamson was stepping down on Thursday morning, with an eye to the Test team’s tour of Pakistan.

Tom Latham will deputise Southee, with Williamson staying on as a specialist batter.

Williamson is statistically the best Test captain in New Zealand’s history, winning 22 of 40 matches at the helm, as well as eight draws and just 10 defeats.

He led the team to the inaugural World Test Championship title in 2021, defeating India in the final in Southampton.

Williamson will remain captain in the two white-ball formats for New Zealand, with a focus on a Cricket World Cup campaign in 2023 and a T20 World Cup in 2024.

New Zealand’s squad for the Pakistan Test tour was finalised later on Thursday, and Southee said it was humbling to be asked to lead the team for the tour and beyond.

“It’s been a surreal few days and it’s just a massive honour to be appointed as Test captain,” Southee said.

Williamson said Southee and Latham will have him as a source of help throughout his tenure.

“I’m excited to support Tim as captain and Tom as vice-captain,” Williamson added.

“Having played with both of them for most of my career, I’m confident they’ll do a great job.”

The first Test in Pakistan begins on December 26.