NZ Opening Batsmen Break Test Match Milestones Against West Indies

Cricket action
Tom Latham and Devon Conway have put New Zealand in a commanding position.

Third Test, Mount Maunganui (the fourth day of five)

  • New Zealand 575 for 8 declared: Conway 227, Latham 137 and 306-2 dec: Latham 101, Conway 100
  • West Indies 420: Hodge 123 and 43-0

New Zealand's Tom Latham and Devon Conway achieved a historic first by becoming the first openers in Test match history to hit hundreds in both innings of a match, leaving the West Indies a daunting 462-run target for victory.

Latham posted 137 and 101 in this series decider, while Conway built upon his mammoth 227 in the first innings with a precise 100 in the second.

The pair had shared a massive 323-run stand in the first innings, totaling 515 runs overall—a fresh benchmark for the highest aggregate an opening pair in a five-day game.

Furthermore, Conway entered rare company in Test history to achieve a double hundred and a hundred in the same match.

He followed legends like Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, Graham Gooch, Brian Lara, and Kumar Sangakkara in securing this notable feat.

Match Context

Earlier on day four, the Windies were dismissed for 420, facing a deficit of 155 runs, before Latham and Conway returned to bat.

Along with knocks from Kane Williamson (40) and Rachin Ravindra (46), the New Zealand top order propelled their side to 306-2 before a sporting declaration, leaving the visitors a near-impossible target of 462 to win and square the series.

At the close of play, West Indies openers had reached 43-0, with John Campbell digging in to score two runs from 50 balls, while Brandon King was more aggressive on 37.

Paul Berry
Paul Berry

A passionate play advocate and educator with over a decade of experience designing engaging activities for children and families.