Christchurch, Jan 9: New Zealand promised to bounce back quickly from its first-test loss to Bangladesh and captain Tom Latham redeemed the pledge with a commanding unbeaten century Sunday on the first day of the second Test.
Latham lost the toss for the sixth time while standing in as captain for Kane Williamson and had to bat on a disconcertingly green pitch at Hagley Oval. By stumps he was 186 not out and with the help of a half century to Will Young and Devon Conway, who faced a nervous night on 99 not out, New Zealand was 349-1.
Bangladesh’s shock win in the first test thrilled the cricket world. The ninth-ranked team in the world had beaten the second-ranked team in their home conditions where they were unbeaten in their last 17 Tests.
It was the stuff of fairytales but on Sunday the quiet, pragmatic Latham brought Bangladesh back to a cruel reality. Latham hadn’t previously scored even a half century but the captain dominated the day, carrying his bat through 90 overs.
Latham reached his half century from 65 balls, his century from 133, his 150 from 199. And he played a full array shots, favoring the cut when Bangladesh bowled too short with the new ball in the morning then leaning into his drives and bringing midwicket into play in the next two sessions. He scored 70 of his 100 partnership with Young and 57 of a century partnership from 155 balls with Conway.
Latham was twice given out before lunch on Sunday yet survived to carry his bat through the day. Young’s 54 – his third half century of the series – included five fours, a 7 and a 5. Young reached his half century from 97 balls.
After Young, Conway continued his prolific accumulation of runs in tests and was left on the brink of a century at stumps. He scored 122 in the first innings of the first test and added a half century on Sunday from 83 balls. (AP)
