Tag: Tom Latham

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: Devon Conway and Tom Latham plundered a poor West Indies attack for a mammoth opening partnership on day one of the third Test here on Thursday as New Zealand piled up 334-1.

Conway ended the day 178 not out, and captain Latham was out just before the close for 137. Nightwatchman Jacob Duffy was on nine at Stumps.

Conway and Latham put together 323, the second-highest opening partnership for New Zealand, only bettered by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis’s 387 stand against the West Indies in Georgetown in 1972.

It was also only the eighth time New Zealand had registered a stand in excess of 300 in Tests.

Conway batted all day, facing 279 balls for his second century of the calendar year, but his first at home since January 2022 against Bangladesh in Christchurch. He scored 153 against Zimbabwe in August.

The 34-year-old Conway brought up his sixth Test century from 147 balls, and stroked 25 fours during his 279-ball stay.

Latham’s 15th Test century contained 15 fours and a six as he faced 264 balls.

Conway and captain Latham had a near chanceless partnership. For the first two sessions, the West Indies toiled without so much as a single lbw shout.

Early in the third session, they finally created a chance, but Latham was dropped by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach off the bowling of Anderson Phillip when on 104 and New Zealand on 253.

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The marathon partnership justified Latham’s decision to bat first on a green-looking wicket that is tipped to suit spin later in the match.

The West Indies seamers found good movement off the grassy surface in the opening overs, bowling tight lines which had both Conway and Latham defending cautiously, but they became more aggressive once the new ball was seen off.

West Indies skipper Roston Chase said he would have bowled had he won the toss.

At a suggestion, spin would play a part later in the match, said he would “have to see it to believe it”. But after just 22 overs, Chase was on to bowl his offspin and ended up bowling 19 overs throughout the day.

Kemar Roach was the best of the bowlers, taking the lone wicket for figures of 1-63 from 17 overs.

New Zealand included spinner Ajaz Patel in their side for his first home Test in five years. Tom Blundell returned to keep wicket after missing the previous Test with injury.

The West Indies made one change, with the injured fast bowler Ojay Shields replaced by batsman Alick Athanaze.

New Zealand lead the three-match series 1-0, after a draw in the first Test in Christchurch, and a nine-wicket win in Wellington.

READ: Nathan Lyon overtakes Glenn McGrath’s record in third Ashes Test

New Zealand captain Tom Latham has been ruled out of the first Test against Zimbabwe starting at Queens Sports Club on Wednesday.

New Zealand white-ball captain Mitch Santner will lead the team in Latham’s absence.

According to a statement by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday, Latham injured a shoulder while fielding in a Twenty20 match in England earlier this month and has not fully recovered.

Tom Latham will remain with the squad in the hope of being fit for the second Test, which starts on August 7.

“It’s hugely disappointing for Tom to be missing the first Test, as captain but also as an integral part of the team,” head coach Rob Walter said.

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“It’s never great when you lose your captain, who’s a world-class opening batter and a great team man, but that said, we’re going to work really hard to have him available for the second Test.

“We’ll continue to assess and see whether a replacement player is necessary, but at this stage we are hopeful that he’ll recover in time.”

Left-arm spin bowler Santner will become New Zealand’s 32nd men’s Test captain. He led the white-ball team to victory in a T20 white-ball series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, which ended last Saturday.

“Mitch did a wonderful job with the T20 squad,” said Walter.

“He was excellent from a strategy point of view, and he has a strong understanding of the game.”

READ: Nathan Lyon breaks silence on omission from West Indies Test

New Zealand suffered a major setback ahead of their three-match ODI series against Pakistan as wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham was ruled out after fracturing his right hand during training.

The injury has forced a leadership reshuffle, with Michael Bracewell now set to captain the side in Latham’s absence.

Meanwhile, experienced batter Henry Nicholls has been called up to replace Latham.

It’s worth noting that Tom Latham, who was originally supposed to lead the side in the absence of Mitchell Santner, picked up the injury while batting in the nets earlier this week.

Scans confirmed a fracture, and he will now undergo a minimum of four weeks of rest and rehabilitation, according to New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

Meanwhile, Nicholls’ recall comes on the back of impressive domestic form, where he has scored five half-centuries in six innings since recovering from a calf strain. The 33-year-old has already played 78 ODIs and brings valuable experience to the squad.

New Zealand will also be without opener Will Young for the second and third ODIs, as he awaits the birth of his first child.

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Young will feature in the series opener in Napier before being replaced by uncapped Canterbury batter Rhys Mariu, who has received his maiden international call-up.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead acknowledged the frequent disruptions but backed his side to adapt in the ODI series against Pakistan.

“We’ve had to be flexible this tour with numerous players unavailable for different reasons. But that also creates opportunities for others to step up,” Stead said.

He expressed confidence in Bracewell’s leadership, highlighting his performance in the T20I series.

“It’s obviously disappointing to lose Tom [Latham] as captain on the eve of the series, and we wish him a speedy recovery. The side is in safe hands with Michael, who’s done a great job through the T20I series,” he added.

New Zealand will enter the ODI series on a high, having recently clinched the T20I series 4-1 against Pakistan.

The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand will kick off on March 29 in Napier. The second match is scheduled for April 2 in Hamilton, while the series will conclude with the final ODI in Mount Maunganui on April 5.

New Zealand ODI squad for Pakistan series

Michael Bracewell (c), Henry Nicholls, Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan’s blazing ton powers Peshawar to National T20 Cup final

PUNE: Tom Latham scored an anchoring half-century after Mitchell Santner dismantled the strong India batting unit to put New Zealand in a commanding position on the second day of the second Test here at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Friday.

At the Stumps on Day 2, New Zealand had accumulated 198/5 in their second innings, leading India by a massive 301 runs.

The New Zealand captain played an instrumental role in asserting dominance over the struggling hosts, courtesy of his gritty 86-run knock, featuring 10 boundaries.

Latham dominated the Indian bowlers until the in-form Washington Sundar managed to breach his defences and trapped him lbw to give India a bit of relief.

But Glenn Phillips batted sensibly alongside wicketkeeper batter Tom Blundell for an unbeaten 16-run stand for the sixth wicket to avoid any stir.

Sundar, who bagged seven wickets in the first innings, once again troubled New Zealand batters and made four scalps, registering his maiden 10-wicket match haul. He was supported by fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took one wicket.

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Earlier in the day, India resumed their first innings from 16/1 through youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who pushed their total to 50 until Mitchell Santner removed Gill on 30.

Santner then added further to the misery of the home side by claiming the prized scalp of Virat Kohli (1).

Phillips supported Santner by picking two quick wickets, dismissing Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant as India slipped further to 83/5.

Mitchell Santner then ran through India’s lower middle order and thus booked them on a meagre total to strengthen New Zealand’s command.

He returned sensational bowling figures of 7/53, followed by Phillips with two wickets, while Tim Southee made one scalp.

Remember, New Zealand lead the three-match series 1-0 as they stunned India by eight wickets in the opening match.

READ: Sri Lanka A thrash Pakistan Shaheens to reach Emerging Asia Cup final

New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has resigned as the Test captain, while the country’s cricket board confirmed wicket-keeper Tom Latham as the new skipper.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) released a press release on Wednesday to confirm the leadership changes.

“Tim Southee has stepped down as BLACKCAPS Test captain, with Tom Latham confirmed to take up the role full-time,” the press release stated.

Tim Southee replaced Kane Williamson as New Zealand Test captain back in December 2022. He led the team in 14 Test matches, winning six.

The right-handed pacer has represented New Zealand in 102 Tests since making his debut in 2008. He has taken 382 wickets, second-most by a New Zealand player, only behind Sir Richard Hadlee.

Southee expressed his pride in leading the Kiwi side and shared that he wants to serve the side as a player going forward.

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“Captaining the BLACKCAPS in a format that’s so special to me, has been an absolute honour and a privilege,” he said. “I’ve always tried to put the team first throughout my career and I believe this decision is the best for the team.”

“I believe the way I can best serve the team moving forward is focusing on my performances on the field and getting back to my best, to continue taking wickets and helping New Zealand win Test matches.

“I will, as I’ve always done, continue to support my teammates, especially the exciting young bowlers making their way on the international stage.”

Southee also extended his support and best wishes for Tom Latham as the new Test captain.

“I wish Tom all the best in the role and he knows I’ll be there to support him on his journey, as he has done for me over the years,” he concluded.

Notably, Latham has previously led New Zealand in nine matches, winning four of them. His full-time tenure as captain will start in the upcoming tour of India.

READ: Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan white-ball captain

Half-centuries from Tom Latham and Kane Williamson put New Zealand at 255-4 and in hot pursuit of Sri Lanka on day two of the first Test on Thursday.

The Black Caps trailed by 50 at stumps in Galle with Daryl Mitchell (41) and Tom Blundell (18) to resume in the morning.

No New Zealander has scored a Test century in Galle and both Williamson and Latham looked set to end that drought before falling against the run of play.

Their 73-run partnership steadied the reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings of 305 but ended when Latham fell before tea for 55, top-edging a sweep shot that was caught at backward square leg.

World number two batter Willamson departed in the final session for 70 while trying to work Dhananjaya de Silva on the leg-side for a single, caught by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis.

Aggressive sweep shots from New Zealand foiled a concerted Sri Lanka spin attack and forced the hosts to spread the field.

It countered New Zealand’s usual vulnerability to spinners at Galle, where the tourists have lost all four of their prior Test matches played there.

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De Silva had a second wicket when he bowled Rachin Ravindra, finishing 2-31 in an otherwise lacklustre day for the hosts.

Fewer than five overs were played in a morning session delayed by rain.

Sri Lanka belatedly resumed their first innings from 302-7 overnight but lost all three remaining wickets for just three runs.

Rookie New Zealand fast bowler William O’Rourke took 5-55, his second five-wicket haul in just three Tests since his February debut against South Africa.

That home series saw him take 9-93, the best match figures for a debutant Kiwi bowler.

A groin injury ruled the 23-year-old O’Rourke out of the following series against Australia and his selection ahead of the more experienced Matt Henry had been a surprise.

But he vindicated selectors by delivering consistent speeds above 145 kilometres (90 miles) per hour to carve through the Sri Lankan top order on day one.

A century by Kamindu Mendis, his fourth from seven Test appearances, rescued Sri Lanka from 178-5.

READ: Ton-up Ashwin steers India out of trouble against Bangladesh

CHRISTCHURCH: A timely return to form by New Zealand opener Tom Latham hauled the Black Caps back into the second Test against Australia on Saturday as they overhauled a 94-run deficit to lead by 40 at the stumps. 

Latham, dropped by Alex Carey on 59, was unbeaten on 65 in New Zealand’s second innings at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval exactly a year after his last half-century against Sri Lanka at the same ground.

Following the early dismissal of Will Young for one, Latham and Kane Williamson put on a partnership of 105 for the second wicket.

Williamson, celebrating his 100th Test, reached his half-century with a single off Mitchell Starc, but faced only two more balls before he edged a Pat Cummins delivery onto his middle stump.

At the close, New Zealand were 134 for two with Rachin Ravindra not out 11 alongside Latham.

Australia were all out midway through the day with Marnus Labuschagne’s masterful 90 laying the foundation for their first innings 256 in reply to New Zealand’s 162.

With the pitch becoming more benign than it was when 21 wickets fell in the first five sessions, Latham and Williamson produced a morale-boosting century stand for New Zealand, who had struggled against Australia’s intimidating attack.

Australia have also had their batting issues, but Labuschagne found some form after a string of single-digit performances to anchor their innings.

Their second-highest scorer was paceman Mitchell Starc with 28 and behind Cameron Green’s 25 was 23 from Pat Cummins.

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Cummins’s innings included some big blows, including three fours and a six off successive deliveries from Ben Sears.

The chief destroyer for New Zealand was Matt Henry, relishing the responsibility of taking the new ball with Trent Boult out of the picture and being rewarded with 7-67. Henry has taken 15 wickets so far in the series.

Australia resumed the day at 124-4. Labuschagne had an early issue with the umpires for standing too far out of his crease and potentially scuffing the wicket in the spinners’ target area.

As he neared his century, New Zealand keeper Tom Blundell stood up to the wickets for pace bowler Tim Southee, tempting Labuschagne to hit out.

The ploy worked, as the Australian steered the ball to the gully, where Glenn Phillips made an acrobatic catch.

Henry bagged nightwatchman Nathan Lyon for 20, caught at first slip by Daryl Mitchell, who had dropped him off Tim Southee at the start of the day.

Mitchell Marsh, who is also struggling for runs, was trapped leg before by Henry without scoring for his second consecutive duck, facing just four balls.

Part-time bowler Phillips removed Alex Carey (14) when he paddled a simple catch to Tom Latham at mid-wicket, leaving Henry to mop up the tail.

READ: James Anderson becomes third bowler to take 700 Test wickets

AUCKLAND: Wicketkeeper batter Tom Latham will lead New Zealand instead of  Kane Williamson as the Black Caps named their T20I squad for the upcoming tour of Pakistan. 

According to the details, Latham, who last played a T20I in September will return to the national colours and will take up the leadership role in the absence of New Zealand’s regular captain Williamson.

Latham will captain the 15-member squad which features potential T20 debutants Chad Bowes and Henry Shipley, along with several players returning to international T20 cricket on the back of the strong international and domestic form.

Tom Latham will return to international T20 action for the first time since 2021 to lead the BLACKCAPS T20 sides against Sri Lanka (home) and Pakistan (away). More | https://t.co/jzxlGum5JK #NZvSL #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/DNd31LkdKe

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 26, 2023

 

According to the NZC, the Pakistan-bound squad will leave for the country on April 9 to play a five-match T20I series, scheduled from April 14 to 24.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead stated Latham’s comeback to T20 cricket imaged his capability to adapt his game and his leadership.

“We saw against India earlier this season the power and range of shots that Tom possess. His adaptability also means he can feature in a range of batting positions.

“He led an inexperienced T20 squad to Bangladesh in 2021 and we were really impressed with his leadership of that group during a COVID bubble tour.”

New Zealand’s Squad for Pakistan T20Is:

Tom Latham (c, wk), Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young.

READ: Quinton de Kock’s berserk ton pulls record T20I win for South Africa

KARACHI: New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell has been ruled out of the final day’s play of the ongoing second Test against Pakistan after picking up a groin strain.

Opening batter cum wicket-keeper Tom Latham has replaced Blundell behind the wickets as New Zealand strives to take eight wickets on the final with 319 runs to defend.

Taking to Twitter, New Zealand Cricket announced that Blundell has sustained a groin strain (left adductor).

“Blundell will be monitored post tour but is expected to be available for the England Test series in mid-February.” it added.

Tom Latham continuing as wicket-keeper on Day 5 instead of Tom Blundell who has a groin strain (left adductor). Blundell will be monitored post tour but is expected to be available for the England Test series in mid-February. #PAKvNZ #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/4kzX28nglf

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 6, 2023

Blundell played a valiant knock of 74 from 135 balls and stitched a solid fifth-wicket partnership with Michael Bracewell, who remained unbeaten on 74, to steer New Zealand to 227/5 in their second turn before skipper Tim Southee declared the innings.

The bold declaration just minutes before the day’s end paid dividends as New Zealand earned back-to-back wickets to leave stranded on 0/2.

READ: Shanaka’s fireworks power Sri Lanka to thump India in second T20I

AUCKLAND: Tom Latham was left thanking his lucky stars after smashing a majestic century to steer New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over India in Friday’s opening one-day international in Auckland.

Latham hammered 19 fours and five sixes in an unbeaten innings of 145 runs off 104 balls. It was his seventh ODI century and his highest score in the format.

“It was one of those days when everything comes off. I don’t really know where that came from — the stars aligned, things fall into place,” Latham said of his man-of-the-match innings.

The Black Caps were set 307 to win at Eden Park before Latham and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson put on a winning partnership of 221 runs.

“We bowled short of length and that’s where Latham attacked us,” said India captain Shikhar Dhawan.

“We couldn’t make a breakthrough when the partnership was on. Latham took the game away for us and that’s when the momentum shifted.”

Williamson finished on 94 not out as New Zealand went one up in the ODI series, having lost the Twenty20 series to India.

“It was an incredible knock by Tommy (Latham) — he was absolutely on fire,” said Williamson.

“We were talking in the middle about just getting through the overs, but then he just flicked the switch.

“It was one of the more special ODI knocks I have seen and it was nice to be at the other end to watch it.”

After being put into bat by New Zealand, India put up 306 and then did not allow New Zealand’s openers to settle as the chase began.

Finn Allen and then Devon Conway edged shots to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

India gave ODI debuts to pace bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik, who celebrated with the wickets of Conway and Daryl Mitchell in quick succession as New Zealand laboured to 88-3.

However, it quickly turned into a miserable evening for India’s bowlers.

Williamson dug in with a superb array of shots, including a 79-metre six.

He was well supported by Latham, who grew in confidence as the pair broke the Indian bowling momentum and took New Zealand to the finish line.

Earlier, India’s captain Dhawan put on a superb opening partnership of 124 with Shubman Gill.

Dhawan smashed 13 fours as he made 72 runs off 77 balls before being caught off the bowling of Tim Southee, who claimed his 200th ODI wicket for New Zealand.

India’s run rate slowed as Pant and then Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed, leaving the visitors on 160-4.

Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings with 80 runs, including four sixes.

Hamilton will host the second ODI on Sunday.

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