Tim Southee believes bowlers must continuously adjust to the demands of modern-day cricket, saying, “You have to move with the times, or you get left behind.”

Recent years have seen significant changes in cricket, particularly with the introduction of T20 cricket and the emergence of numerous franchise leagues. Veteran fast Tim Southee of New Zealand believes that in order to stay ahead of the game’s constant change, bowlers must quickly adapt.

There have been numerous record totals made and surpassed in the current Indian Premier League (IPL). Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have scored more than 250 in ten games, have elevated T20 batting to a whole new level. They hammered 287/3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, setting a record for the greatest total in IPL history.

Interestingly, the team captained by Faf du Plessis also managed a run-chase score of 262/7 but ultimately lost by a mere 25 runs. In a T20 encounter, this was the most runs scored overall. When the Punjab Kings defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens by a 262-run margin, they too made history. It turned out that in men’s T20 cricket, this was the highest target that was successfully pursued.

The imbalance between bat and ball has become a hot topic among cricket fans as the T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to start next month. Being a careful observer of the game’s evolution over time, Southee emphasised the need for bowlers to be flexible in order to remain relevant.

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It is always evolving, and in the last few weeks, we have seen changes in India as well. As a bowler, in particular, you have to adapt. You will become obsolete if you don’t adapt to changing times. It is a fascinating spectacle. As a bowler, I would prefer it to go a little bit more our way. However, I hope that cricket viewing is enjoyable for everyone,” said the captain of New Zealand’s Test team.

For the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled to start next month, Southee has been included in the New Zealand squad. He will be a specialised pacer in the team, along with players like Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Matt Henry. Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham, among others, will also contribute as seam-bowling all-rounders. The Blackcaps are grouped with teams from Afghanistan, the West Indies, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea in Group C of the main tournament.