Tim Southee said he will never forget his “incredible journey” after the New Zealand great confirmed on Tuesday he had completely retired from international cricket.

Southee said he would “disappear” a happy man after taking two wickets in his 107th and final Test, a 423-run thrashing of England in Hamilton.

The 36-year-old swing bowler then revealed he would no longer play limited-overs matches for his country, ending a record 17 years across all three formats.

“It’s time for these kids,” Southee said.

“We’ve seen a number of them stand out over the last couple of years and I’m excited to sit back and watch them continue to take this team forward.

“I’ve been living it for so long. So yeah, I’ll be done.”

Southee’s 391 wickets are second only to Richard Hadlee in the history books of New Zealand Test cricket.

But Southee is the only one to account for New Zealand’s total number of international wickets, with 776 since his debut in 2008.

He is the only player in the world to take more than 300 wickets in Tests, 200 in One-Day Internationals (221) and 100 in Twenty20 Internationals (164), with the T20 figure being the highest among all players.

Southee said he would pursue playing opportunities in the professional T20 leagues but had decided a Test at his home ground of Seddon Park was the best route to signing for New Zealand.

“Test cricket is the pinnacle for me and it’s pretty special to win by over 400 runs against brilliant opposition,” he said.

“It’s a lovely way to disappear after what has been an incredible journey.

“Every opportunity to play for New Zealand has been a special moment. It’s been a great adventure and I have 17 years of memories that I will take with me.”

Southee said he would remember with particular fondness a “golden period” for New Zealand in which he shared the new ball with Trent Boult, supported by aggressive first-change representative Neil Wagner.

The three seamers were a lethal combined force for a decade, culminating in the World Test Championship final victory over India at Lord’s in 2021.

“Being a part of that was pretty special,” Southee said.

“And playing alongside those two and forming a really good friendship that will go way beyond the game is, I guess, the most satisfying part of all.”

Southee said he would not miss the grueling schedule of international cricket.

“I will definitely enjoy Christmas at home with my family,” he said.

“They have been rare in recent years.”