MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand — Cricket history was rewritten Sunday as New Zealand’s opening batsmen Tom Latham and Devon Conway achieved unprecedented milestones during the fourth day of the third test match against the West Indies. The dynamic duo forged a monumental 192-run partnership in the second innings, propelling New Zealand to declare at 306-2 and establishing an insurmountable lead of 461 runs.
The pair’s extraordinary performance marked the first instance in test cricket history where a batting partnership achieved both a triple-century stand (323 runs in the first innings) and a century partnership in the same match. Conway’s exceptional batting display saw him follow his first innings masterpiece of 227 runs with exactly 100 in the second, making him only the tenth player worldwide and first New Zealander to score both a double century and century in the same test.
Latham mirrored this brilliance with 137 in the first innings and 101 in the second, emulating his father Rod Latham’s achievement with Mark Greatbatch of century opening partnerships in both innings of a 1992 test against Zimbabwe.
As stumps were drawn after 16 overs, the West Indies stood at 43-0, requiring an improbable 419 runs for victory on a deteriorating pitch showing concerning cracks and inconsistent bounce. Brandon King remained not out on 37 while John Campbell held firm on 2.
The match also featured notable contributions from other New Zealand batsmen. Kane Williamson, after waiting padded up for extensive periods in both innings, capitalized on his opportunity to reach 40 not out. Rachin Ravindra provided explosive lower-order batting with an unbeaten 46 from just 23 deliveries as the declaration approached.
Series statistics revealed the dominance of New Zealand’s opening pair. Conway amassed 452 runs at an average of 75.3, while Latham compiled 427 runs at 71.1. Their combined partnership of 515 runs in this test set a new record for opening pairs in test cricket history.
New Zealand batting coach Luke Ronchi attributed the success to meticulous preparation and ideal mindset: ‘The work the guys have been doing for a while now is paying off the way they want. The trust in their own game and the game plans against particular bowlers is coming off, though it’s also been a nice batting wicket rather than the traditional New Zealand test pitch.’
Earlier Sunday, Jacob Duffy’s bowling prowess (4-86 in the first innings) helped dismantle the West Indies’ resistance, taking two quick wickets as the visitors lost four wickets for 39 runs after resuming at 381-6. Kavem Hodge remained unbeaten on 123, securing his second test century and highest score.