Tom Latham and Devon Conway produced one of the greatest opening partnerships in New Zealand’s Test history, rewriting the record books with a monumental 317-run stand against England on Day 1 of the series-deciding third Test at Trent Bridge on Thursday.The pair became the first New Zealand opening duo to register a 300-plus partnership against England in Test cricket history, surpassing the previous best of 276 set by Stewie Dempster and Jackie Mills in Wellington in 1930.In fact, before Latham and Conway’s heroics, Dempster and Mills were the only New Zealand opening pair to have posted a 200-plus stand against England in Tests. The Trent Bridge masterclass not only eclipsed that landmark but also established a new benchmark in the rivalry.The mammoth partnership was finally broken when England captain Ben Stokes induced an outside edge from Latham, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith completing the catch. Latham departed for a superb 151 off 214 balls, decorated with 15 boundaries, ending a partnership that had left England’s bowlers exhausted and frustrated.
Second-highest partnership for New Zealand in away Tests
Latham and Conway’s 317-run alliance is now the second-highest partnership for any wicket by New Zealand in an away Test match. Only the 387-run opening stand between Terry Jarvis and Glenn Turner against the West Indies in Georgetown in 1972 stands above it.The pair also recorded New Zealand’s highest opening partnership in a Test in England and joined an elite list of Kiwi opening combinations to cross the 200-run mark in the longest format.Conway was then dismissed by Joe Root in the next over itself as he departed after a massive 157 off 224 deliveries, having struck 22 fours and three sixes in a dominant display. The left-hander looked in complete control throughout, combining elegant strokeplay with patience on a placid Trent Bridge surface.
England left searching for answers
With the series level at 1-1, New Zealand captain Latham’s decision to bat first after winning the toss proved inspired.England’s attack, featuring the returning Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, found little assistance from a flat pitch under unusually hot conditions. Stokes was the lone bowler to consistently ask questions of the batters and eventually delivered the breakthrough after more than 72 overs of frustration.The opening stand continued New Zealand’s momentum following their emphatic victory in the second Test and came despite the absence of key players Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips and Kyle Jamieson.For Latham, it was his 17th Test century and a timely return to form after a quiet series. For Conway (8th hundred), it was another reminder of his ability to produce big scores on the biggest stages.
