Former New Zealand captain Tim Southee said Friday the team's upcoming Test series with England would be his last, with the 35-year-old set to finish up at his home ground in Hamilton.
The irrepressible seam bowler made his debut against England at Napier in 2008 and has been a mainstay since, taking 385 wickets in his 104 Tests -- second only to Richard Hadlee (431) among New Zealanders.
"Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up," Southee said.
"But the time feels right to now step away from the game that has given so much to me.
"Test cricket holds a special place in my heart," he added.
"So to be able to play such a big series against the same opponent my Test career began against all those years ago, and on three grounds that are incredibly special to me, seems the perfect way to end my time in the black cap."
Southee captained the side to six wins, six losses and two draws after taking over from Kane Williamson in 2022 before handing over the baton last month to Tom Latham, who led them to a 3-0 Test sweep in India.
Southee's all-round skills and consistency has seen him become the only player in the world to claim more than 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets and 100 T20 wickets.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink saluted him as one of the country's finest players.
"Tim has been a constant in the improving fortunes of the Blackcaps and he'll be remembered as a giant of the modern New Zealand game," he said.
"Tim has an incredible bank of experience and knowledge of the game and while he may have called time on his playing career, I'd be surprised if we don't see him in another capacity at some stage in the future."
Southee will make a decision after the three-Test England series, which gets under way in Christchurch on November 28, on whether he has one final white-ball farewell in him.
New Zealand face Sri Lanka in three ODIs and three T20s at home from December 28.
Blackcaps coach Gary Stead said Southee's record spoke for itself.
"Tim's durability and resilience has been outstanding," he said.
"He's an incredibly tough competitor who gets himself up for big occasions and is rarely injured.
"Tim cares deeply about the team, its reputation and performances, and he will be missed within the Blackcaps environment."
Kane Williamson is back
Prolific batsman Kane Williamson was Friday included in New Zealand's Test squad to face England after missing their recent 3-0 sweep in India with a groin injury.
The former skipper will once again team up with veteran seamer Tim Southee, who will retire from Test cricket after the three match-series starting in Christchurch on November 28.
Williamson is New Zealand's greatest Test run-scorer with 8,881 runs from 102 matches at an average of 54.48.
The Black Caps called up bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith for the first time while uncapped quick Jacob Duffy was also included in the squad.
But Ajaz Patel, who claimed 15 wickets against India, was surprisingly overlooked with Mitchell Santner the spin option, backed up by Glenn Phillips.
Ben Sears (knee) and Kyle Jamieson (back) were not considered.
"It's obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee only raises it up further," said Black Caps selector Sam Wells.
The triumph in India propelled New Zealand back into contention for next year's World Test Championship final, but even a whitewash of England would not guarantee it.
Ben Stokes' England suffered a 2-1 defeat in Pakistan last month.
"It's also an exciting time for Nathan to be brought into the Test squad for the first time," added Wells.
"Nathan is an exciting talent with a proven first-class record and I’m sure he will bring a lot of skill and energy to the group."
Wells admitted it was tough to leave out Patel, but the decision was made given the expected home conditions and Santner's recent Test form.
The Black Caps are again led by Tom Latham, who took over from Southee last month and led them to what he called one of New Zealand's "greatest series wins" in India.
Following the Christchurch Test, the series moves to Wellington and then Hamilton for Southee's last hurrah.
Test squad: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young