Yuvraj Singh sent a special message to bowler Tim Southee on his retirement from Test cricket.

Mumbai Mumbai. After New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee announced his retirement from Test cricket, former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh sent him a special message. Yuvraj wrote on Instagram, 'Congratulations dear boy on a wonderful career. You bowled your heart out on the field, be proud of yourself! Good luck and see you friends.

After announcing his retirement, Southee said, “It was a dream come true to play for New Zealand. It was very special to do it at such a young age. Sitting here now I think it has gone by very quickly. In the next little while I am It's been a great journey and there's still more to come, but I certainly didn't think I would be sitting here after 17 years. Act for It's truly a privilege and an honor.”

After retiring from Test cricket, Southee will decide to play in the white-ball series against Sri Lanka after Christmas. He has also expressed his willingness to make himself available for next year's World Test Championship final at Lord's, provided New Zealand qualify for the one-off Test decider. Southee made his Test debut in March 2008 in the Napier match against England. He emerged as a consistent wicket-taker who could swing the ball both ways. He ultimately took 391 wickets in 107 Test matches at an average of 30.26.

His tally includes a record 15 five-wicket hauls and an economy rate of 3.02. Southee finished as the second highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in Test cricket. He is behind only the great Sir Richard Hadlee, who took 431 wickets in this format. Southee also has the distinction of registering 1,000 runs, 50 wickets and 50 catches in Test cricket. He took his first five-wicket haul (in his debut Test) at the age of 19 years and 102 days. Southee was also a powerful lower order batsman for New Zealand in Test cricket. He scored 2,245 runs in 107 Test matches, achieving the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in this format.