With Sony Sports Network acquiring the exclusive broadcast rights of New Zealand Cricket for seven years, it was the perfect opportunity to catch up with The Blackcaps Test captain and medium-fast bowler Tim Southee on Friday morning. The soft-spoken 35-year-old who has 16 years of international cricket and 380 Test wickets to his name, chatted with t2, from Hamilton, on his memories of playing in India, his favourite Indian food as well as his long career.
What are your memories of playing in India?
I will obviously start with Calcutta. I have been lucky to play there for a number of years in the IPL and playing on such an iconic ground, Eden Gardens, was pretty special. It’s a ground I grew up watching a lot of cricket at and to be able to play there and call it home for three seasons was pretty special. It was great to play and represent the Kolkata franchise (Kolkata Knight Riders) and it’s great to see them have a great year this year.
Just playing cricket in India is a special moment in any cricketer’s career... just to see the love and passion the whole country has for cricketers. It is amazing. For us, to come from such a small country and play in India and just see how much the people of India love cricket is an amazing experience every time we turn out there.
Do you have any friends in the Indian dressing room?
Yeah, I have been lucky to have been a part of IPL for 10-11 seasons and play for five different teams. That’s the beauty of IPL. It’s not only the other overseas players you play with, but also the Indian players and domestic players that you form friendships with over a number of years as well.
Yes, it’s been great to get to know some of the Indian players. You obviously play against them a lot but it’s nice to get to know them off the field as well. It’s a real positive for the IPL that you get to share the dressing room with special players from India.
What’s your favourite Indian city?
I think Bangalore and Mumbai are probably the two places that I really enjoy going to.
What are you most likely to indulge in while you are in India?
I think food is a big part of Indian culture and to experience the food... I have been coming to India for a long time now... it is nice to try some of the local cuisine.
Who is the most popular Indian cricketer back in New Zealand?
I think in the years gone by, we’ve had the likes of (Sachin) Tendulkar and (Rahul) Dravid and (M.S.) Dhoni. Right now, probably not just New Zealand, but worldwide, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are two guys who have played for a long time and they attract plenty of attention and love from their fans.
You’ve had an illustrious career. How do you look back at your journey?
I have been very fortunate to play for 16 years. Ever since I was a kid, I have wanted to play for New Zealand and have been very lucky to fulfil that childhood dream. Yeah, the years have gone quickly and it doesn’t feel like it’s been 16 years. There have been plenty of great moments and plenty of tough times as well, but I guess those tough times have shaped your career and to still be here after 16 years shows you can get through those good times and bad times.
You are your heroes?
The people I looked up to, I have been lucky enough to have played with a number of them as well, the likes of Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum... then you look worldwide and you have the likes of Jacques Kallis and Glenn McGrath... there are a couple of guys I have really enjoyed watching as a kid.
Your friendship with Kane Williamson is special...
Kane and I have known each other for a long time. Played age-group cricket together and domestic cricket together and all three formats of international cricket for a long time. Just recently we played the 100th Test together and had also played our 50th Test match together. Our friendship has developed over the years. We were teammates when we were younger and that has grown into a pretty good friendship. Our wives and families get on. We spent time together away from cricket as well. It’s a friendship that has grown over the years and I have been lucky to have played alongside such a great player and a good person. It’s a strong friendship.
Tell us about being a dad...
Yeah, it’s great fun... it puts life into perspective. It’s been great. We have a daughter on the way, in a month or so. So, yeah, it’s pretty busy and hectic at times, but it’s special... it’s tough also given the time we spend on the road, away from them, we miss out on a lot as well. It’s great, but like everything, it has its challenges.
Do you play any other sport?
I think most Kiwi kids grow up giving a lot of sports a go. I gave a lot of sports a go as a kid (like) cricket, rugby, tennis, but nowadays golf tends to be a sport that is played by a lot of cricketers and is a great way to enjoy a day off and also keep their competitive nature.
