New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham rewrote the record books on Day 1 of the third Test against the West Indies at Mount Maunganui, forging a humongous 323-run partnership to guide the hosts to 334-1 at stumps. Breaking a 14-year tradition, captain Latham chose to bat first on a green surface at Bay Oval; this was the first time a Kiwi skipper has done so at home since 2011, and the gamble paid off spectacularly.
The duo weathered an initial burst of movement from the West Indies seamers before settling into a rhythm that the visitors could not disrupt, leaving Conway unbeaten on 178 alongside nightwatchman Jacob Duffy on 9.
The 323-run stand stands as the second-highest opening partnership in New Zealand’s Test history, falling just short of the 387-run record set by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis against the same opposition in 1972. It is also the highest opening stand ever recorded on New Zealand soil, surpassing the previous mark of 276.
Latham, who scored 137 off 264 balls, and Conway became the most prolific opening pair in New Zealand history during the innings, surpassing the aggregate run tally of John Wright and Bruce Edgar. Conway’s unbeaten 178 marks the third-highest score by a New Zealander on the opening day of a Test match.
West Indies endured a grueling day in the field, with their bowlers struggling to maintain consistency after the first hour. Despite the grassy pitch, the attack failed to trouble the batters enough, with Roston Chase resorting to spin as early as the 22nd over.
The visitors' only breakthrough came late in the day when Kemar Roach induced an edge from Latham, which was caught by Chase at first slip. A rare opportunity had gone begging earlier when wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach dropped Latham on 104 off the bowling of Anderson Phillip.
Conway’s innings was a masterclass in concentration and stroke play. Facing 279 balls, he struck 25 boundaries and reached his sixth Test century, while battling through physical discomfort, including a blow to the forearm from Jayden Seales, to register his second century of the calendar year. "He put them all to bed," reports noted regarding concerns about his recent form, as he navigated the difficult early period where the West Indies conceded only 11 runs in the first eight overs before accelerating.
The day ended with New Zealand firmly in control, leading the three-match series 1-0. Captain Roston Chase admitted he would have bowled first had he won the toss, expressing skepticism about the pitch taking spin, though New Zealand’s inclusion of spinner Ajaz Patel suggests they expect the surface to turn later in the match. Play will resume on Friday with Conway eyeing a double century.