Williamson and Southee’s careers have spanned side by side from youth and under-19 level through to domestic cricket and all formats for New Zealand and the pair played their 100th Tests together against Australia earlier this year, although Williamson made his debut twice. -year and a half after Southee.
“Playing together so much, you go through a lot,” Williamson told reporters in Hamilton ahead of his first game for the Northern Districts since 2019, where Southee will also line up. “Whether doing stints in leadership roles or going through different turbulent times, you have some good ones too and they are all part of the experience. To do it for as long as Tim has done is incredible as a fast bowler, there aren’t many in there. the history of the game that they have been able to achieve what has such a great member. [and] leader on our side and a close friend as well.”
While New Zealand’s historic 3-0 win in India suggests there could be many good times to come for the current team, Southee’s retirements mark the latest departure from an era of players who brought considerable success after the likes of Ross Taylor , BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme and Neil Wagner, while Trent Boult no longer features in Tests after stepping away from a central contract and also retired from T20Is.
“That’s life, right? You realize you’re closer to the end than the beginning, which is a certainty,” Williamson said. “Is [about] Navigating through those periods because you feel slightly different when you play your first game than when you play the 100th and there are different levels of excitement, your life changes a little bit, whether it’s family, extra dogs, whatever you like, then the The image takes a slightly different shape and your motivation adjusts.
“There is sadness, but also excitement for Tim because the end of your time in a professional sports environment is scary, but there is much more to come.”
Williamson, who will return from a groin injury against England after missing the entire series in India, also turned down a contract with NZC this year but remains committed to all formats. He called the victory in India one of New Zealand’s “all-time cricket memories”, although he added that missing out on being a part of it was challenging at times as his fitness was assessed on a Test-by-Test basis before he was decided not to. ready.
“It was a lot of internal temptation [to try and get there]”I suffered a little bit of FOMO, which is good, but I really admired it.” “To go and play like they did, it’s so special, one of our all-time cricket memories.”
Williamson’s groin injury occurred while running between the wickets in the second innings of the second Test in Galle and he admitted his body needed more care in the latter stages of his career.
“It’s not important, which is good,” he said. “Think after the knee [injury] There are always little curls that move the head, so I make sure to keep putting in that time. For a long time you feel invincible, and I’ve certainly had a few reminders that that’s not the case recently and I make sure to stay on top. of all those things and keep the body under control.”
