NZ v ENG 2019: Tom Latham's ton helps New Zealand end rain-hit Day 1 in position of strength

Latham scored an unbeaten 101 as the Kiwis posted 173/3 before stumps.

Tom Latham | Getty

Tom Latham scored another hundred and put on a century stand with Ross Taylor as New Zealand hold its own by stumps despite early jitters on rain-hit Day 1 of the second Test against England in Hamilton this Friday (November 29). 

Losing Jeet Raval and skipper Kane Williamson cheaply to Stuart Broad (1/33) and Chris Woakes (2/41) after being put in to bat first, the Kiwis needed veterans Latham and Taylor to stand up to the task and they did. 

The Black Caps are a force to reckon with in home conditions and showed that off once again, not wilting under the pressure created by some very fine English bowling. 

While Taylor got out to Woakes on 53, Latham stayed on to pile on a yet unbeaten 101 - his 11th ton for New Zealand in 47 Tests - and further build on the reputation he has created for himself in the last couple of years. 

Only 54.3 overs were possible due to bad weather as the hosts find themselves 173/3 with Latham and Henry Nicholls (5*) not out overnight. 

There was, however, one slightly controversial instance on the day with Taylor reviewing an LBW call against him after being struck on the pads and TV umpire Bruce Oxenford later overturning the on-field umpire's decision as the slow-mo replays detected a faint sound after the ball passed the bat but had not reached the pads.

Oxenford thought it could only have come off the inside edge which even Taylor didn't actually feel. 

Meanwhile, all-rounder Ben Stokes felt pain in his left knee after bowling two overs and will be assessed overnight to see whether he can bowl again on Day 2. 

Brief scores: 

New Zealand - first innings - 173/3 in 54.3 overs (Tom Latham 101*; Chris Woakes 2/41)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 29 Nov, 2019

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