Former New Zealand captain Tim Southee has announced he will be retiring from Test cricket later this year.

Southee, 35, will call time on his Test career following the three-match series with England across November and December, unless the Black Caps qualify for next year’s World Test Championship final.

Southee’s final Test will be at his home ground of Seddon Park in Hamilton between 13 and 18 December.

“Representing New Zealand was all I ever dreamed of growing up,” Southee said.

“To play for the Black Caps for 18 years has been the greatest honour and privilege, but the time feels right to now step away from the game that has given so much to me.

“It’s been an amazing ride and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Southee was part of the New Zealand side that won the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021.

He succeeded Kane Williamson as Test captain in December 2022, standing down from the position, now filled by Tom Latham, last month.

The fast bowler has played 102 Test matches, taking 385 wickets at an average of 29.87, second to only Richard Hadlee (431) for most Test wickets as a New Zealand bowler.

He is also the only player to have taken more than 300 Test, 200 one-day international and 100 Twenty20 international wickets.

“Tim’s durability and resilience has been outstanding,” said Black Caps head coach Gary Stead.

“He’s an incredibly tough competitor who gets himself up for big occasions and is rarely injured.

“Tim cares deeply about the team, its reputation and performances, and he will be missed within the Black Caps environment.”

Following the England Test series next month, New Zealand face Sri Lanka in a white ball series. Southee is yet to decide whether he will feature in those matches.

Southee will continue playing domestic and franchise cricket following his Test retirement.

The Black Caps have also named uncapped duo Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy in their squad for the series against England.

It is a maiden call-up for all-rounder Smith, 26, who made his international debut in a one-day international against Sri Lanka in November.

Kane Williamson returns to the squad after missing the series win in India because of a groin injury, while left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner will join the group for the second and third Tests.

New Zealand squad to face England: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (second & third Tests), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

NEW YORK – Charles Oliveira praised Ilia Topuria, but says a lightweight move won’t be easy.

UFC featherweight champion Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who’s coming off back-to-back knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, is confident he can become the first to submit UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev.

A former lightweight champion, Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) acknowledges Topuria’s skillset, but reminds him of the shark tank in his division.

“Ilia is a tough fighter – someone who talks the talk and walks the walk,” Oliveira said through an interpreter during Wednesday’s UFC 309 media day. “He’s doing things. I can see why he would want to challenge people. He would be, obviously, a tough fight.

“I think that what happens is a lot of fighters, whenever they get the belt, they have that belt wrapped around their waist, they start thinking up and down in the divisions. But I think you have to be very careful when you’re coming up to lightweight because this is tough. This is a very tough division. But at any rate, I think that he’s a very tough and very dangerous guy.”

Oliveira runs things back with Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York. Oliveira won their first meeting by knockout to claim the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262 in May 2021.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

TEMPELGATE takes on Friday’s card confident of firing in some winners.

Back a horse below by clicking their odds.

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HYLAND (1.45, nap)

Looks destined for big things after his 15-length romp here last time out. While his main rivals faltered, Nico De Boinville bided his time on this seven-year-old who travelled really sweetly through the race.

He hit the front jumping the last and skipped up the hill to score without breaking sweat.He faces stronger company here but has a lot more to come.

MISTER COFFEY 2.55 Cheltenham, nb)

He enjoyed himself in last year’s Grand National so the Cross-Country course will be right up his alley.

VALGRAND (3.30 Cheltenham, treble)

Was so impressive when winning here last time. His jumping caught the eye and he can land a Grade 2.

CHELTENHAM ITV VERDICTS

1.10 DOUBLE POWERFUL

Has been living up to his name with an impressive five wins on the spin, with the last two victories coming by 24 and ten lengths. He has a 7lb penalty for his Fontwell success in this class and has plenty of stamina for this trip.

There’s every chance he’ll strike again for Neil Mulholland. American Sniper won this last year and is only 5lb higher in the handicap now.

He got back to winning ways at Newbury last week and has solid place claims. Plaisir Des Flos came back from six months off to score at Carlisle 22 days ago.

That was his fifth win on the spin too and a 7lb rise may not put the brakes on. Il Va De Soi was impressive when going in by five lengths at Uttoxeter last time.

He’s gone up the weights but trainer Harry Derham is in good form and there’s more to come. Whatsupwithyou was second in a big field here two runs ago and can figure too.

1.45 HYLAND

Has left his modest hurdles form behind over fences and looked a potential class act when winning here by 15 lengths at the October meeting. He jumped well and stormed up the hill. Nicky Henderson’s hopeful can cope with this hike in grade.

Springwell Bay impressed when taking a Chepstow Listed race on chase debut last month. He has winning hurdles form here and should cope with the longer trip. He’s another with a bright future. Resplendent Grey took well to fences with a Uttoxeter debut win.

This is much tougher so he’ll need to improve but he can’t be ignored. Buddy One has to bounce back from a poor run at Wexford.

2.20 JONBON

Kicked off last season by winning this race and, after a slight blip in the Clarence House, finished the season with Grade 1 wins at Aintree and Sandown. He has 14 wins and three places from his 17 runs, likes this trip and is fine on good ground.

He should win this without too much trouble. Edwardstone has an Arkle and Tingle Creek on his CV and was beaten nine lengths in this race last season. He’s been beaten by Jonbon several times now but he does go well fresh and should hit the forecast spot.

Boothill goes best at Ascot where he won a couple of hot handicaps early last season. He fell when upped in class before finishing behind Jonbon and Edwardstone at Sandown.

He likes good ground but has plenty to find. Unexpected Party is a solid handicapper over this trip but needs the other three to have an off day.

2.55 MISTER COFFEY

Has, amazingly, yet to win over fences but this could be the day. He jumped for fun in the 2023 Grand National and will still going strong at the four-mile point only to empty like a rusty bucket. He ran well a couple of times last season and comes back from a very fair mark.

He goes from the front and could take some stopping. Tommie Beau is hard as nails. Quirky Cartmel is his favourite track so he could well enjoy this challenge. More rain would be ideal but he’ll run his race.  

Conflated is a Grade 1 winner over three miles and was placed in that company last season. He is fit from a comeback run in the Charlie Hall and could hit the frame. Slipway has some solid handicap chase form in the book and stays all day.

3.30 VALGRAND kept up his unbeaten run over hurdles with a breathtaking Grade 2 success here last month. He went from the front and flew most of the flights in scoring by 17 lengths. He may get pestered for the lead this time but has enough quality to follow up.

Potters Charm did not hurdle like a natural here when scoring last time but his engine got him home. Nigel Twiston-Davies is sure to have worked on his jumping since then.

Gale Mahler was no match for the tip last time but is progressive and should get a bit closer this time. The others face a tall order with Rockstown Girl taking a modest contest at Chepstow last month.

4.00 CLAP OF THUNDER went like lightning when winning at Ascot last time out. He tanked along and jumped well to score by almost five lengths. That was just his second spin over hurdles so he can improve with good ground right up his street.

Fasol was a Group horse on the Flat in France and went close over timber at Kempton in May. His opening handicap mark of 108 may prove to be lenient.

Golden Maverick looked useful in winning a couple of minor races and went close again when second at Hereford. He’s another who could be ahead of the handicapper.

Wreckless Eric was well backed and going like the winner before falling two out at Wincanton 29 days ago. If that hasn’t left a scar he’ll be right on the premises. Balhambar ran well on turf last month and has a couple of handicap hurdle wins on his CV.

He likes this trip and rain would bring him into this as he likes it soft. Can’t Resist It caught the eye when second at Market Rasen when last seen in May and has an each-way shout for Fergal O’Brien.

Templegate’s tips

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NEW YORK – After more than 20 months of buildup, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic finally crossed paths in a formal setting in advance of their heavyweight title fight at Thursday’s UFC 309 pre-fight press conference.

After answering questions from the media, reigning champion Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) and former titleholder Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) came face to face for a staredown before what’s being promoted as a historic encounter between two all-time greats.

Jones made it clear during the press conference that things have gotten personal for him thanks tosome previous comments made by Miocic. When they came together to face off, Miocic extended for a handshake that Jones ignored, creating a tense moment before they clash in Saturday’s headliner at Madison Square Garden (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+).

Check out the video above to watch the Jones vs. Miocic staredown from the UFC 309 pre-fight press conference.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

But rather than schedule a unification title bout, Jones was rebooked against 42-year-old Miocic.

Jones said he will not fight Aspinall because “it does nothing for my legacy”, before using an expletive to describe him.

Aspinall, the back-up fighter to the main event, has poked fun at Jones in an attempt to lure him into an undisputed fight, buying his dog a toy rubber duck after fans claimed Jones was “ducking” him.

Aspinall then shared a post on social media of him wearing a T-shirt which says “Hello Jon”, and “I have nothing against you personally, I just think I’m better than ya”.

While Jones smiled on stage and joked with a vocal crowd, the endless talk of Aspinall has irked the two-weight UFC champion.

He walked out of an interview with TNT Sports before it began, concerned he would have to field more questions about Aspinall with the British broadcaster.

Jones, the youngest UFC champion in the company’s history, was hailed on stage as the greatest ever by White.

He has just one loss on his record, a 2009 disqualification defeat by Matt Hamill.

“As long as this guy is active he’s the best,” White said.

Miocic, meanwhile, mostly kept his answers short.

The Ohio fighter is a two-time heavyweight champion, widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight in UFC history, but is a big underdog in his contest with Jones.

He has not fought since defeat by Francis Ngannou in 2021, but victory over Jones would mean he becomes the promotion’s first three-time heavyweight champion.

After Jones took issue with language he used in an interview, saying “respect was out of the window”, Miocic dismissed his opponent’s complaints.

“[Jones] was calling me out saying he was going to beat my ass in front of a whole arena. Sorry for defending myself,” Miocic said.

The face-off passed without major incident, although Jones refused the offer of a handshake from Miocic.

NEW YORK – Jon Jones’ demeanor toward Stipe Miocic has taken a turn during UFC 309 fight week, and with the fight more than 48 hours away, it’s clear things have gotten personal.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) returns from a more than 20-month layoff Saturday when he puts his heavyweight title on the line for the first time against former two-time champion Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the main event at Madison Square Garden (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+)

After initially displaying respect toward Miocic in the months leading up to this week, reigning champ Jones said he got riled up when Miocic called him a “b*tch” – “bring it on, b*tch” were his exact words – on the UFC 309 “Countdown” show. Jones also claims Miocic said he was a poor example for his children given his history of personal missteps, and now Jones’ attitude has changed.

“Everyone likes first responders, and I actually respect men and women in the armed forces and law enforcement, things like that, so I made it a point to try to be very respectful to him,” Jones told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC 309 press conference. “There’s been two scenarios now. First scenario, he said ‘my kids will never look at me like I’m an a**hole.’ That was a direct attack at me and my family and my relationship with my kids. Second attack was him calling me a b*tch. So the respect is a little bit out the window, and we’ll see that on Saturday.”

When asked outright how things have changed, Jones said, “It’s very personal to me, yes.”

Miocic appeared dumbfounded by Jones’ comments. He said with Jones claiming he would defeat him in front of a sold-out crowd in New York and in front of the world, he told him “bring it on, b*tch.” How that made things so personal is lost on Miocic, but it also doesn’t matter to him.

“I don’t even remember saying that, ‘My kids won’t look at me like an asshole,’” Miocic said. “That was no direct thing to him. And when I said ‘bring it on, b*tch,’ pretty much he was calling me out, telling me he was gonna beat my ass in front of a whole arena of people. So, sorry for defending myself. I apologize. …

“I think every fight is personal no matter what. You’re fighting another man in the octagon. It’s always personal.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.