Tom Latham studied the Bay Oval surface closely on Thursday morning before making a bold call, he chose to bat first. By stumps, it was a decision that looked inspired rather than risky.
Also Read: Glenn McGrath’s epic response to Nathan Lyon feat: History made, laughter follows
New Zealand ended the opening day on a commanding 334 for 1 against West Indies, with Devon Conway unbeaten on 178 and night watchman Jacob Duffy on 9. Latham had earlier anchored the innings with a sublime 137, forming a monumental opening partnership with Conway.
A gamble by Tom Latham that paid off in record-breaking fashion
Latham and Conway stitched together a 323-run opening stand, New Zealand’s second-highest opening partnership in Test cricket and the highest partnership for any wicket by any team in 2025. The stand finally ended just three overs before stumps when Latham edged to slip shortly after the second new ball was taken.
Batting on a pitch that appeared greener than usual for Bay Oval, Latham’s decision to bat first raised eyebrows. However, the surface proved drier beneath the grass, allowing the openers to settle quickly despite early seam movement. West Indies had planned to bowl first regardless, but New Zealand’s pair ensured they paid a heavy price.
Latham faced 245 deliveries in a display of patience and control, while Conway batted through the day, facing 279 balls and closing in on his career-best Test score of 200, which he made on debut against England in 2021.
“I guess we left the decision a bit longer than usual,” Latham said after stumps. “We went back and forth, decided to play the spinner and bat first. It turned out to be a great day and a special partnership.”
New Zealand captains rarely choose to bat first at home. Before Thursday, the last instance came in January 2011, when Daniel Vettori made the same call against Pakistan at the Basin Reserve and backed it up with a century. Latham followed a similar script.
The partnership also became New Zealand’s second-highest first-wicket stand, overtaking the 276 shared by Stu Dempster and Jackie Mills in 1930. Only one New Zealand opening stand, the 387 between Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis against West Indies in 1972, stands taller.
While the pitch offered movement early, West Indies’ attack lacked penetration. Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales bowled disciplined opening spells, conceding just 22 runs combined, but with only three specialist seamers in the XI, the workload soon told.
A dropped chance, Latham was put down on 104 by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach, which proved costly as the openers tightened their grip. New Zealand added 83 runs in the first session before accelerating sharply after lunch, scoring 133 runs between lunch and tea.
Conway’s sixth Test century came off 147 balls and featured 17 boundaries. Latham reached his 15th Test hundred from 183 deliveries, blending restraint with crisp strokeplay. While Conway dominated square of the wicket, Latham found gaps through cover, backward point, and occasionally fine leg.
West Indies took the second new ball after 83.2 overs, but the damage had already been done. With New Zealand leading the three-match series 1-0 after a draw and a nine-wicket win in the first two Tests, the hosts firmly tightened their grip on the contest.
(By PTI Inputs)
