Tim Southee IPL Career: A Veteran Swing Bowling Masterclass
Published on: Mar 17, 2023 11:26 am IST|Updated on: Mar 17, 2023 11:27 am IST
Tim Southee, the veteran medium-pacer from New Zealand, has been a valuable asset to several franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Known for his ability to swing the ball, Southee has been a reliable option for teams looking for a bowler who can make an impact in the powerplay or at the death. In this article, we take a look at his IPL career and the impact he has had on the teams he has represented.
Tim Southee IPL: Early Days
Southee made his IPL debut in 2011, playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). While he only played five matches that season, he made an impact, picking up four wickets at an average of 41.50. His best performance came against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he picked up a wicket and conceded just 30 runs in his four overs.
Also Read: KKR 2023 Player List: Kolkata Knight Riders Players Released
The following year, Southee was picked up by Rajasthan Royals (RR) and played a more significant role for the team. He played 11 matches, picking up nine wickets at an average of 36.55. He was particularly impressive in a match against Kings XI Punjab, where he picked up three wickets for just 18 runs in his four overs.
Southee’s time with RR was short-lived, and he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2014 season. However, he failed to make an impact, going wicketless in the three matches he played that season. Take a look at Tim Southee IPL numbers,
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 52 | 1170 | 1663 | 45 | 3/20 | 36.96 | 8.53 | 26.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 9 | 210 | 275 | 14 | 3/20 | 19.64 | 7.86 | 15.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 72 | 95 | 3 | 2/26 | 31.66 | 7.91 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 54 | 118 | 1 | 1/24 | 118.00 | 13.11 | 54.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 8 | 174 | 261 | 5 | 3/30 | 52.20 | 9.00 | 34.80 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3 | 60 | 96 | 3 | 2/39 | 32.00 | 9.60 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 258 | 329 | 9 | 3/24 | 36.55 | 7.65 | 28.66 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 7 | 168 | 247 | 6 | 2/32 | 41.16 | 8.82 | 28.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 3 | 60 | 76 | 0 | 0/16 | – | 7.60 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 5 | 114 | 166 | 4 | 1/30 | 41.50 | 8.73 | 28.50 | 0 | 0 |
Recent Years in the IPL
Southee returned to the IPL in 2018, playing for Mumbai Indians (MI). While he only played eight matches that season, he picked up five wickets, with a best performance of 3/30 against Delhi Daredevils. He continued to be a valuable option for MI in the following season, playing seven matches and picking up six wickets.
In the 2021 season, Southee was picked up by KKR and played three matches, picking up three wickets at an average of 31.66. His best performance came against MI, where he picked up two wickets and conceded just 26 runs in his four overs.
Southee was retained by KKR for the 2022 season, and he has been in fine form for the team. He has played nine matches so far, picking up 14 wickets at an average of 19.64. His best performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he picked up three wickets for just 20 runs in his four overs. He has been particularly effective in the powerplay, picking up six wickets in the first six overs of the innings.
Conclusion
Southee may not be the most high-profile player in the IPL, but he has proven to be a valuable asset to several franchises over the years. His ability to swing the ball, especially in the powerplay, makes him a dangerous bowler to face. He also has a good record at the death, thanks to his pinpoint yorkers.
While Southee’s batting may not be his strongest suit, he has shown that he can contribute with the bat when needed. He has scored 188 runs in 52 IPL matches at a strike rate of 144.96, with a highest score of 36 not out.
Overall, Southee’s IPL career has been a testament to his skill as a swing bowler. He may not be the flashiest player on the field, but he has consistently made an impact with his bowling. His performances in the current season for KKR suggest that he still has a lot to offer, and he could be a key player for the team as they look to make a push in the upcoming season.
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