Devon Conway and Tom Latham delivered a day of near-perfect Test batting as New Zealand seized complete control on day one of the third Test against the West Indies at Mount Maunganui.
Conway and Latham create history with a monumental opening partnership, combining discipline, patience, and growing authority to take the hosts to 334 for 1 by stumps.
On a surface that carried a hint of green early on, Conway and Latham began cautiously. The West Indies seamers found some movement with the new ball and bowled probing lines in the opening spell.
Runs were hard to come by, and both batters were content to leave and defend, showing respect to the conditions.
Once the shine wore off the ball, the tone of the innings changed. Conway began to find gaps through the offside, while Latham grew increasingly fluent with his timing and placement. The pressure slowly shifted onto the visitors, who struggled to create chances as the partnership gathered momentum.
By the end of the second session, frustration was clearly visible in the West Indies camp. Remarkably, they went through the first two sessions without a serious lbw appeal, underlining how secure the New Zealand openers were at the crease.
Conway produced a marathon innings, batting through the entire day to finish unbeaten on 178. Facing 279 balls and striking 25 fours, the left-hander registered his sixth Test century and his first on home soil since January 2022.
It was a knock built on concentration and timing, reminding everyone of his reliability at the top of the order.
At the other end, captain Tom Latham led with calm authority. His 137 came from 264 balls and included 15 fours and a six, marking his 15th Test hundred. Latham’s decision-making, both as a batter and leader, stood out on a day that firmly belonged to New Zealand.
Conway and Latham added 323 for the first wicket, the second-highest opening partnership in New Zealand’s Test history. Only Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis’ legendary 387-run stand against the West Indies in 1972 ranks higher.
It was also just the eighth time New Zealand has recorded a 300-plus partnership in Test cricket.
West Indies were handed a rare opportunity early in the third session when Latham edged behind on 104, but wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach spilled the chance. The dropped catch proved costly, as the partnership continued to grow and drained the bowlers of belief.
Kemar Roach was the lone bright spot for the visitors, eventually dismissing Latham late in the day to finish with figures of 1 for 63. Roston Chase was forced to turn to spin after just 22 overs, bowling 19 overs himself as options ran thin.
Latham’s decision to bat first raised eyebrows early, but by stumps it looked inspired. With Conway still firmly in control and Jacob Duffy surviving as nightwatchman, New Zealand ended the day in a commanding position, firmly setting the tone for the remainder of the Test.
