Conway-Latham record stand powers New Zealand to 334-1 on opening day

New Zealand dominated the West Indies bowling attack on the first day of the third Test at Mount Maunganui, riding on a massive opening partnership between Devon Conway and captain Tom Latham. The hosts finished the day on 334 for 1.
Conway was unbeaten on 178 at stumps, while Latham was dismissed right at the end of the day for 137. Together, the pair added 323 runs for the opening wicket — the second-highest opening partnership in New Zealand’s Test history. Only Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis’s 387-run stand against the West Indies in Georgetown in 1972 stands above it.
Conway batted throughout the day, facing 279 deliveries. It was his second Test century of the year and his first on home soil since January 2022. In his sixth Test hundred, he struck 25 fours. Latham, meanwhile, faced 264 balls for his 15th Test century, which included 15 fours and a six.
For the first two sessions, the West Indies failed to create any meaningful chances. An opportunity finally came early in the third session, but wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach dropped Latham on 104 when New Zealand were 253 for no loss.
Latham’s decision to bat first on a green-looking surface proved fully justified. Although the West Indies seamers found some movement with the new ball, they quickly lost control as the innings progressed.
West Indies captain Roston Chase said he would have chosen to bowl had he won the toss. Despite expressing doubts over predictions that the pitch would assist spin, he introduced his off-spin after just 22 overs and went on to bowl 19 overs by day’s end.
Kemar Roach was the lone success for the visitors, taking 1 for 63 from 17 overs, dismissing Latham. Nightwatchman Jacob Duffy was unbeaten on nine at the close of play.
Spinner Ajaz Patel played his first home Test in five years for New Zealand, while Tom Blundell returned as wicketkeeper after recovering from injury. The West Indies made one change, bringing in batter Alick Athanaze in place of the injured fast bowler Ojay Shields.