Latham replaces Southee as New Zealand Test captain

Tom Latham has been appointed New Zealand Test skipper aft Tim Southee stepped down pursuing 22 months successful nan role.

Southee had been successful complaint of nan Black Caps' red-ball broadside for 14 matches since replacing Kane Williamson successful December 2022.

But nan 35-year-old has relinquished nan position "in nan champion interests of nan team" aft a 2-0 bid conclusion by Sri Lanka.

Latham, who has skippered New Zealand successful 9 erstwhile Tests, will return connected nan position full-time, opening pinch a three-match bid successful India successful October and November.

"Captaining nan Black Caps successful a format that's truthful typical to me, has been an absolute honour and a privilege," said Southee.

"I've ever tried to put nan squad first passim my profession and I judge this determination is nan champion for nan team.

"I judge nan measurement I tin champion service nan squad moving guardant is focusing connected my performances connected nan section and getting backmost to my best, to proceed taking wickets and helping New Zealand triumph Test matches.

"I wish Tom each nan champion successful nan domiciled and he knows I'll beryllium location to support him connected his journey, arsenic he has done for maine complete nan years."

New Zealand caput coach Gary Stead said of Southee: "He's been a awesome servant of New Zealand Cricket complete astir 17 years playing connected nan world stage, and I'd for illustration to admit his humility successful stepping down from nan domiciled arsenic Test captain.

"It's not easy giving up thing you love, but Tim is simply a existent squad man and he's made nan determination pinch nan team's champion interests astatine heart.

"He's 1 of our top ever players and we still very overmuch spot him playing a portion successful our Test broadside moving forward."

Since his debut successful 2008, Southee has taken 382 wickets successful 102 Tests for New Zealand and won six of his 14 matches arsenic captain, pinch six losses and 2 draws.

He will return to nan ranks successful India for what will beryllium a reliable first duty for Latham, who won 4 of his 9 Tests successful complaint betwixt 2020 and 2022.

The Black Caps past return location to look England successful 3 Tests, starting successful precocious November.