New Zealand Openers Shatter Test Milestones Versus WI
Final Test, Mount Maunganui (the fourth day of five)
- New Zealand 575-8 dec: Conway 227, Latham 137 and 306-2 dec: Latham 101, Conway 100
- West Indies 420: Hodge 123 and 43-0
New Zealand's Tom Latham and Devon Conway etched their names in the record books by becoming the initial opening pair in Test match history to register tons in each innings of a match, leaving the West Indies a record 462-run target for victory.
Latham posted 137 and 101 in this series decider, while Conway added to his mammoth 227 in the first innings with a composed 100 in the second.
The partnership had constructed a colossal 323-run stand in the first innings, combining for 515 runs overall—a new record for the highest aggregate an opening pair in a Test.
Furthermore, Conway became just the 10th batter in Test history to score a double hundred and a hundred in the same match.
He joined the ranks of legends like Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, Graham Gooch, Brian Lara, and Kumar Sangakkara in securing this remarkable feat.
Game Situation
Earlier on day four, the Windies were bowled out for 420, trailing by 155 runs, before Latham and Conway again took to the crease.
Along with knocks from Kane Williamson (40) and Rachin Ravindra (46), the New Zealand top order propelled their side to 306-2 before a sporting declaration, leaving the visitors a formidable target of 462 to win and square the series.
At the close of play, West Indies openers had reached 43-0, with John Campbell digging in to score two runs from 50 balls, while Brandon King was more aggressive on 37.