First in 96 years! Tom Latham-Devon Conway script history with record stand as New Zealand punish England Cricket News:
Tom Latham and: Devon Conway produced one of the greatest opening partnerships in New Zealand’s Test history, rewriting the record books with a massive 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 post a 200-plus stand against England in Tests. The Trent Bridge masterclass not only covered that landmark but also established a new benchmark in the competition.The mammoth partnership was finally broken when the England captain Ben Stokes: prompts an outside edge from Latham, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith completing the catch. Latham departed for an incredible 151 off 214 balls, decorated with 15 boundaries, ending a partnership that left England’s bowlers tired and frustrated.
Second highest partnership for New Zealand in away Tests
Latham and Conway’s 317-run partnership is now the second-highest partnership for any New Zealand wicket in an away Test match. Only the 387-run opening stand between Terry Jarvis and Glenn Turner against the West Indies at Georgetown in 1972 stands above it.The pair also recorded New Zealand’s highest opening partnership in a Test in England and joined the elite list of Kiwi opening combinations to cross the 200-run mark in the highest format.Conway was then dismissed by Joe Root next himself as he departed after a massive 157 off 224 deliveries, hitting 22 fours and three sixes in a dominant performance. The left-hander looked in full control throughout, combining elegant strokeplay with patience on a serene Trent Bridge over.
England left looking for answers
With the series level at 1-1, New Zealand captain Latham’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved inspired.England’s attack, featuring the returning Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, found little help from a flat pitch under unusually warm conditions. Stokes is the only bowler who consistently questions the batters and eventually delivers the breakthrough after more than 72 failures.The opening stand continued New Zealand’s momentum after their emphatic win 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 a reminder of his ability to make big points on the biggest stages.
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