Devon Conway and Tom Latham have delivered one of the greatest opening partnerships in New Zealand cricket history, putting on a mammoth 323-run stand on day one of the third Test against West Indies in Mount Maunganui. The pair dominated a toothless West Indies attack to put New Zealand in complete control.

Second-highest opening stand in New Zealand Test history

Conway and Latham’s 323-run partnership is the second-highest opening stand in New Zealand’s Test history, falling just short of the record 387 put on by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis against West Indies in Georgetown in 1972. It is only the eighth time New Zealand have registered a partnership in excess of 300 runs in Test cricket.

Conway ended the day unbeaten on 178 off 279 balls, while captain Latham was dismissed just before stumps for a brilliant 137 off 264 deliveries. Nightwatchman Jacob Duffy came in at the close and was on nine, with New Zealand finishing day one at 334-1.

Conway’s masterclass at home

The 34-year-old Devon Conway batted through the entire day, bringing up his sixth Test century from 147 balls and stroking 25 boundaries during his 279-ball stay. It was his second century of 2025, following his 153 against Zimbabwe in August, but his first Test hundred at home since January 2022 against Bangladesh in Christchurch​

Speaking after the day’s play, Conway praised his opening partner: “I’m pretty grateful to be part of that partnership. A lot of credit needs to go to Tom with the way he played. Quite often throughout that partnership, he just reminded me about looking straight, you know, be there, be present, don’t look too far ahead.”

Conway added that he was unaware of how close they were to setting a New Zealand record but described it as the best partnership he had been involved in.

Latham’s 15th Test century

Tom Latham’s 15th Test century was a captain’s knock of the highest quality. He faced 264 balls and hit 15 fours and a six, batting with fluency and control throughout his innings. Latham’s decision to bat first on a green-looking wicket proved inspired, as the surface offered early movement but played much better as the day progressed.

The only blemish in Latham’s innings came when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach off Anderson Phillip’s bowling when on 104, with New Zealand at 253. Apart from that chance early in the third session, the pair were flawless, with West Indies unable to create even a single lbw shout during the first two sessions.

West Indies bowlers struggle on flat pitch

The West Indies seamers found some movement early on the grassy surface, but once Conway and Latham saw off the new ball, they became increasingly dominant. West Indies captain Roston Chase, who said he would have bowled first had he won the toss, was forced to bring on his off-spin as early as the 22nd over and ended up bowling 19 overs throughout the day.

Kemar Roach was the pick of the bowlers, taking the only wicket with figures of 1-63 from 17 overs. However, he walked off with a potential muscle injury after the second-to-last over of the day and is in doubt for the rest of the Test, which would be a huge blow to West Indies’ already struggling attack.

West Indies assistant coach Rayon Griffith acknowledged that the New Zealand openers put on a clinic but insisted the match was not over yet. “The game is still in progress. We’ve been through this before. We will come better tomorrow,” he said.

Series context and team changes

New Zealand lead the three-match series 1-0 after a draw in the first Test in Christchurch and a comprehensive nine-wicket win in Wellington. They included spinner Ajaz Patel in their side for his first home Test in five years, while Tom Blundell returned to keep wicket after missing the previous Test with injury.

West Indies made one change, with injured fast bowler Ojay Shields replaced by batsman Alick Athanaze. That decision to strengthen the batting backfired as their bowling attack was exposed throughout the day by the relentless run-scoring of Conway and Latham.z