After dominating the first day of the test match at Seddon Park on Thursday, Nz Opener Tom Latham said West Indies bowled well in intervals but were not able to stick at those lengths that gave us an opportunity to score runs freely. Latham gave solid start to Black Caps as he scored 86 runs after losing Will Young who departed early at 5 . The foundation set by Latham was equally capitalized by Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor who were unbeaten on the first day on 97 and 31 runs respectively.
Hear from @Tomlatham2 after the opening day of the Test summer! The opener made 86 against @windiescricket at Seddon Park and shared a 154 run partnership with captain Kane Williamson. The innings is Latham's 3rd 50+ Test score in a row. #NZvWI https://t.co/ccdYJp9kWP
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 3, 2020
Latham talked about the way NZ batter progressed the innings in detail. “There was probably a little bit more grass on this Hamilton wicket than we have traditionally seen in the past,” Latham said after the day’s play that saw New Zealand score 243/2 despite losing the opening session due to rain. “Probably had a little bit more pace as well than we are used to seeing here.
“I think initially it [the pitch] was probably a little bit slower. Sometimes when it’s a little bit softer, it tends to hold in the wicket a little bit more. But it did dry up a little bit and quickened up, but they probably bowled a fraction short on a wicket that was offering a little bit of assistance. We were allowed to leave balls on length and get ourselves in that way.”
STUMPS in Hamilton!
🏏 Taylor and Williamson take New Zealand to the end of day without further loss.
The New Zealand skipper will resume on 97 tomorrow 🙌
📝 #NZvWI SCORECARD 👉 https://t.co/5W5qK9wDQX pic.twitter.com/ZWWIdPBVRk
— ICC (@ICC) December 3, 2020
He also complimented his skipper Williamson for the second wicket after they both added 154 runs together but fell short by 14 runs to fetch his 12th Test century to which he said that it’s frustrating that I was not able to complete the milestone having done the job of seeing off the new ball. Also on the first day he had a little banter against his skipper, Williamson who is three away from a century of his own, twice had to call for a trainer through the partnership after suffering a bout of cramps.
New Zealand are certainly the favourites to clinch the series against West Indies with the kind of lineup they have at the moment. The experienced players like Boult, Taylor and Williamson have single-handedly won the tournament for Black Caps in Red Ball cricket with one good innings or spell at home in last few years.
