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Masterful Conway, Latham in 323 opening stand as West Indies wilt
Devon Conway and Tom Latham plundered a poor West Indies attack Thursday for a mammoth opening partnership on day one of the third Test in Mount Maunganui as New Zealand piled up 334-1.
Conway ended the day 178 not out and captain Latham was out just before the close for 137.
The pair put on 323, the second highest opening partnership for New Zealand, only bettered by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis's 387 stand against the West Indies in Georgetown in 1972.
It was only the eighth time New Zealand had registered a stand in excess of 300 in Tests.
"I'm pretty grateful to be part of that partnership," Conway said of his stand with Latham
"A lot of credit needs to go to Tom with the way he played.
"Quite often throughout that partnership, he just reminded me about looking straight, you know, be there, be present, don't look too far ahead."
Conway said it was the best partnership he had been in but he had been unaware of how close they were to setting a New Zealand record.
Conway batted all day in facing 279 balls for his second century of the calendar year, but his first at home since January 2022 against Bangladesh in Christchurch.
He scored 153 against Zimbabwe in August.
Nightwatchman Jacob Duffy was on nine at the close of play.
The 34-year-old Conway brought up his sixth Test century from 147 balls, and stroked 25 fours during his 279-ball stay.
Latham's 15th Test century contained 15 fours and a six as he faced 264 balls.
- Chanceless pair -
Conway and captain Latham were flawless. For the first two sessions the West Indies toiled without so much as a single lbw shout.
Early in the third session they finally created a chance, but 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 decision to bat first on a green-looking wicket that is tipped to suit spin later in the match.
The West Indies seamers found good movement off the grassy surface in the opening overs, bowling tight lines which had both Conway and Latham defending cautiously, but they became more aggressive once the new ball was seen off.
West Indies skipper Roston Chase said he would have bowled had he won the toss.
At a suggestion spin would play a part later in the match said he would "have to see it to believe it".
But after just 22 overs, Chase was on to bowl his offspin, and ended up bowling 19 overs throughout the day.
Kemar Roach was the best of the bowlers, taking the lone wicket for figures of 1-63 from 17 overs.
He walked off with a potential muscle injury after the second to last over of the day, and is in doubt for the rest of the Test.
West Indies assistant coach Rayon Griffith said the New Zealand batters put on a clinic, but insisted the match wasn't over.
"The game is still in progress," Griffith said. "We've been through this before. We will come better tomorrow."
New Zealand included spinner Ajaz Patel in their side for his first home Test in five years. Tom Blundell returned to keep wicket after missing the previous Test with injury.
The West Indies made one change, with the injured fast bowler Ojay Shields replaced by batsman Alick Athanaze.
New Zealand lead the three match series 1-0, after a draw in the first Test in Christchurch, and a nine-wicket win in Wellington.
(M.Scott--TAG)
