New Zealand took full control of the third Test against West Indies on the opening day at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, producing a batting display that firmly placed the hosts in a dominant position.
After opting to bat first, the Kiwi openers laid a rock-solid foundation that frustrated the West Indies bowling attack throughout the day. Devon Conway and captain Tom Latham showed patience, discipline, and authority, ensuring there were no early breakthroughs.
Opening Pair Sets the Tone
Conway looked composed from the start, leaving well outside off stump and punishing loose deliveries. At the other end, Latham played the anchor role with confidence, rotating strike and steadily building pressure on the bowlers.
The partnership continued to grow session by session, with neither batter showing signs of discomfort. Their understanding between the wickets and shot selection highlighted the maturity of New Zealand’s top order.
By stumps on Day 1, Devon Conway remained unbeaten on 178, while Tom Latham had earlier departed after a commanding 137. Their partnership rewrote the record books, becoming the most productive opening stand in the World Test Championship era.
A Historic Day for New Zealand Cricket
The opening stand also carried long-term significance for New Zealand cricket, surpassing a home record that had remained untouched for nearly a century. The achievement places the Conway-Latham pair among the finest opening combinations the country has produced.
Beyond records, the innings set New Zealand up perfectly for the remainder of the Test, with plenty of batting depth still to come.
Brief Score Summary
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (1st Innings) | 334/1 | 90 |
Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Conway | 178 | 279 | 25 | 0 | Not Out |
| Tom Latham (c) | 137 | 246 | 15 | 1 | Out |
| Jacob Duffy | 9 | 16 | 1 | 0 | Not Out |
Bowling Figures (West Indies)
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kemar Roach | 19 | 63 | 1 | 3.30 |
| Jayden Seales | 21 | 67 | 0 | 3.20 |
Day 1 Summary
New Zealand will head into Day 2 with complete control of the match. With wickets in hand and a commanding total already on the board, the focus will be on extending the lead and putting West Indies under sustained pressure.
The performance from Conway and Latham not only set up the Test but also reinforced New Zealand’s strength at the top of the order.
