Conway & Latham’s Record Stand Demolishes West Indies in 3rd Test

Devon Conway and Tom Latham dominated a lackluster West Indies bowling lineup on the first day of the third Test in Mount Maunganui, as New Zealand amassed a significant score of 334-1. Conway remained unbeaten at 178, while captain Latham was dismissed just before the end of the day for 137. Their partnership of 323 is the second-highest opening stand for New Zealand, surpassed only by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis’s 387-run partnership against the West Indies in Georgetown in 1972. This marks only the eighth instance of a partnership over 300 runs in New Zealand’s Test history.

Conway batted throughout the day, playing 279 balls to secure his second century of the year and his first at home since January 2022 against Bangladesh in Christchurch. He had earlier scored 153 against Zimbabwe in August.

Nightwatchman Jacob Duffy was at nine when play concluded for the day. The 34-year-old Conway reached his sixth Test century off 147 balls and hit 25 fours in his 279-ball innings. Latham notched up his 15th Test century with 15 fours and a six, facing 264 balls. Their partnership was almost flawless, with the West Indies unable to muster any significant challenges in the first two sessions.

In the third session, the West Indies managed to create an opportunity, but Latham was given a reprieve as wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach dropped him on 104 off Anderson Phillip’s bowling when New Zealand had 253 runs. Latham’s decision to bat first on a pitch expected to favor spin later justified their massive stand. Initially, the West Indian seamers showed promise with good movement from the grassy wicket, but they couldn’t maintain the pressure as Conway and Latham’s aggressiveness increased after the new ball’s effect faded.

West Indies captain Roston Chase mentioned he would have chosen to bowl had he won the toss and was skeptical about the pitch supporting spin, saying he would “have to see it to believe it.” Chase himself bowled 19 overs of offspin during the day. Kemar Roach claimed the only wicket with figures of 1-63 from 17 overs.

New Zealand included spinner Ajaz Patel for his first home Test in five years, and Tom Blundell returned as wicketkeeper after missing the previous Test due to injury. The West Indies made one change, with batsman Alick Athanaze replacing injured fast bowler Ojay Shields.

New Zealand leads the three-match series 1-0, after a draw in the first Test in Christchurch and a nine-wicket victory in Wellington.

Published on Dec 18, 2025.