Tom Latham and Devon Conway served up a batting masterclass on the opening day of the third Test between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. The left-handed opening pair really managed to hamper the English bowlers and steer New Zealand into a sound place after they were asked to bat first, somehow it just looked controlled from ball one.

 

They stayed unbeaten by the time the first session wrapped up, at least according to the match report, and that meant New Zealand got to 213 without loss in 54 overs. But really the bigger part was that they slipped into the record books with a partnership New Zealand hadn’t posted against England for nearly a hundred years, give or take.

 

Latham and Conway Join a Special List

 

Latham and Conway only became the second New Zealand opening duo to stitch together a 200-plus stand against England in Test cricket. The other pair that did it were Stewie Dempster and Jackie Mills, who put together 276 runs for the first wicket in Wellington all the way back in 1930. For 96 years, no New Zealand opening pair managed to reach that 200-run hurdle versus England in a Test match.

 

Then at Trent Bridge the wait finally ended, Latham and Conway batted with patience, with that kind of calm, stubborn control. They left the looser stuff alone and punished the bad balls, plus they made sure England’s attack couldn’t force an early breakthrough, not really.

 

Latham led the charge and got to a properly built century. The New Zealand captain looked at ease the whole way through his innings and handed his side an ideal platform. Conway, meanwhile, kept things humming as well, moving close to what looked like a well-deserved century of his own.

 

Also Read | Sai Sudharsan Strengthens India No. 3 Claim with Brilliant Hundred Against Sri Lanka A

 

Match Scenario: New Zealand Take Complete Control

 

New Zealand now day one on 213 for no loss after 54 overs. Tom Latham was still unbeaten on 109 off 162 balls, 10 boundaries in the mix. Devon Conway remained not out on 94 from 165 deliveries, and he counted 16 fours along the way. New Zealand also took 10 runs in extras, so the total sat at 213 without losing a wicket.

 

England’s bowlers struggled to conjure meaningful chances on a decent batting surface. Gus Atkinson sent down nine overs for 35 runs. Jofra Archer went for 32 in eight overs, while Josh Tongue ended up with 0 for 34 from 10 overs. Spinner Shoaib Bashir bowled the most, finishing with 0 for 54 from 16 overs. Captain Ben Stokes also didn’t take a wicket, conceding 51 runs in his 11 overs.

 

England Searching for a Breakthrough

 

With both openers settled at the crease, and that big partnership already done, New Zealand will be looking to press on and set up a huge first-innings total when things continue. England, though, will need an early wicket on the way back out, because otherwise the visitors could just keep taking complete control of the Test match.

 

For now, the day really belonged to Tom Latham and Devon Conway, and that record-breaking stand gave New Zealand the best kind of start at Trent Bridge.