New Zealand’s Devon Conway celebrates his century. Picture: AFP
MOUNT MAUNGANUI:
Devon Conway and Tom Latham plundered a poor West Indies assault Thursday for a mammoth opening partnership on day one of many third Check in Mount Maunganui as New Zealand piled up 334-1.
Conway ended the day 178 not out and captain Latham was out simply earlier than the shut for 137.
The pair put collectively 323, the second highest opening partnership for New Zealand, solely bettered by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis’s 387 stand in opposition to the West Indies in Georgetown in 1972.
It was additionally solely the eighth time New Zealand had registered a stand in extra of 300 in Checks.
Conway batted all day dealing with 279 balls for his second century of the calendar 12 months, however his first at residence since January 2022 in opposition to Bangladesh in Christchurch.
He scored 153 in opposition to Zimbabwe in August.
Nightwatchman Jacob Duffy was on 9 on the shut of play.
The 34-year-old Conway introduced up his sixth Check century from 147 balls, and stroked 25 fours throughout his 279-ball keep.
Latham’s fifteenth Check century contained 15 fours and a six as he confronted 264 balls.
Conway and captain Latham had a close to chanceless partnership. For the primary two periods the West Indies toiled with out a lot as a single lbw shout.
Early within the third session they lastly created an opportunity, however Latham was dropped by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach off the bowling of Anderson Phillip when on 104 and New Zealand on 253.
The marathon partnership justified Latham’s resolution to bat first on a green-looking wicket that’s tipped to go well with spin later within the match.
The West Indies seamers discovered good motion off the grassy floor within the opening overs, bowling tight traces which had each Conway and Latham defending cautiously, however they turned extra aggressive as soon as the brand new ball was seen off.
West Indies skipper Roston Chase stated he would have bowled had he received the toss.
At a suggestion spin would play an element later within the match stated he would “should see it to consider it”.
However after simply 22 overs, Chase was on to bowl his offspin, and ended up bowling 19 overs all through the day.
Kemar Roach was the very best of the bowlers, taking the lone wicket for figures of 1-63 from 17 overs.
New Zealand included spinner Ajaz Patel of their facet for his first residence Check in 5 years. Tom Blundell returned to maintain wicket after lacking the earlier Check with damage.
The West Indies made one change, with the injured quick bowler Ojay Shields changed by batsman Alick Athanaze.
New Zealand lead the three match sequence 1-0, after a draw within the first Check in Christchurch, and a nine-wicket win in Wellington.
