IPL 2023: KKR's Tim Southee UNSURE about future, says 'Landscape of cricket has changed'

IPL 2023: KKR star Tim Southee UNSURE about International cricket future after Boult, Neesham opt out of central contracts, says ‘Landscape of cricket has changed’ – Check out

Sreehari Menon

Tuesday, Nov 29, 2022 11:49 pm

IPL 2023: NewZealand pace Tim Southee remains non-committal on his future with the Blackcaps despite being on an NZC Central Contract. Given the advent of T20 Leagues, many including Kiwi trio – Martin Guptill, Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham, have opted against international cricket. Southee contracted to the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL believes […]

IPL 2023: NewZealand pace Tim Southee remains non-committal on his future with the Blackcaps despite being on an NZC Central Contract. Given the advent of T20 Leagues, many including Kiwi trio – Martin Guptill, Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham, have opted against international cricket. Southee contracted to the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL believes more and more players will switch to the new landscape. Follow IND vs NZ LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN

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IPL 2023: KKR star Tim Southee UNSURE about International cricket future after Boult, Neesham opt out of central contracts, says ‘Landscape of cricket has changed’ – Check out

New Zealand veteran Tim Southee feels that more and more players will forego their national contracts in the lure of lucrative overseas deals. An assortment of T20 leagues, starting with the cash-rich IPL, has entirely changed the landscape of cricket. Southee lost three international teammates – Trent Boult, Jimmy Neesham and Martin Guptill, who opted for overseas paychecks.

“It has been an interesting last few months where the landscape of cricket has changed, quicker than most thought,” Southee said before the IND vs NZ 3rd ODI.

He added, “I am contracted to New Zealand Cricket at the moment and I’ve been back to the IPL (Indian Premier League) this year and we’ll see what happens over the coming years. But it’s definitely changing the landscape of cricket to what it was two-three years ago.”

Southee, who will turn up for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023 IPL season, remained non-committal about the possibility of following the footsteps of his teammates and stepping away from his national contracts.

IPL 2023: KKR star Tim Southee UNSURE about International cricket future after Boult, Neesham opt out of central contracts, says ‘Landscape of cricket has changed’ – Check out

“I haven’t looked too far ahead, to be honest. There’s enough cricket to come in the coming months to worry about before having to look too far ahead. But it’s something all players are trying to stay with and think about in the moving landscape of the game,” he said.

Southee took three wickets in the first one-dayer against India to become the first bowler in the world to take 300 Test, 200 ODI, and 100 T20I wickets.

“It is special because no one has done it before. When you finish your career and when you look back, hopefully be proud what you have achieved. I enjoyed my time and hopefully have many years to go and few more wickets as well.”

Southee said he wants to continue playing all three formats. The 33-year-old also attributed the contribution of long-serving strength and conditioning coach Chris Donaldson.

“You have to keep looking at ways to get better. Having played for a while, you have experience on your side – good experience, but also bad experiences, so just trying to stay with the times and trying to stay a step ahead.

“Always looking at improving your game. Each time you turn up to training is an opportunity to walk away a better cricketer.”