Tom Latham and Devon Conway he made the biggest partnership in New Zealand Test history, rewriting the record books with a record-breaking 317-run stand against England on Day 1 of the third qualifying Test at Trent Bridge on Thursday.The pair became the first New Zealand opening pair to register a 300-plus partnership against England in Test cricket history, surpassing the previous best of 276 by Stewie Dempster and Jackie Mills in Wellington in 1930.In fact, before the heroics of Latham and Conway, Dempster and Mills were the only two New Zealand openers to have put up 200-plus against England in Tests. The Trent Bridge technical team not only covered the mark but also set a new mark for the competition.The great alliance was broken when England took over Ben Stokes lured outside off Latham, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith completing the catch. Latham went on to score 151 off 214 balls, decorated with 15 boundaries, ending a partnership that left England’s players tired and frustrated.
The second highest association in New Zealand for the distance test
Latham and Conway’s 317-run alliance is now the second partnership in any tournament against New Zealand in a Test run away from home. Only the opening stand of 387 between Terry Jarvis and Glenn Turner against the West Indies at Georgetown in 1972 is the highest.The pair also recorded New Zealand’s highest opening partnership in Tests in England and joined the list of the highest number of Kiwi openers to cross the 200-run mark in the longest format.Conway was then dismissed by Joe Root following him as he departed on 157 from 224, having hit 22 fours and three sixes in a very public display. The left-hander looked in complete control, including some beautiful dribbling and patience at Trent Bridge.
England left looking for answers
With the score tied at 1-1, New Zealand captain Latham batted first after winning the toss.England’s attack, which featured the returning Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, got little help from the pitch in the scorching heat. Stokes was the lone bowler to ask questions of the batsmen and finally delivered the victory after a frustrating 72 overs.The opening stand continued New Zealand’s threat following 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 comeback after a quiet series. For Conway (eighth century), it was another reminder of his ability to score big goals on the biggest stages.