- Black Caps openers set WTC record with 323-run stand
Devon Conway and Tom Latham put on a batting masterclass on day one of the third Test as New Zealand completely dominated West Indies, finishing on 334 for 1 after the opening day at the Bay Oval. The opening duo broke the World Test Championship record for the highest first-wicket partnership, eclipsing the 317-run stand between India’s Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal, and recorded the second-highest opening stand in New Zealand Test history.
Latham, who scored 137, and Conway, unbeaten on 178, refused to yield to the West Indies’ bowlers, punishing anything loose and frustrating those aiming for breakthroughs. The pair batted with unerring discipline and calculated aggression, mixing textbook defense with well-timed boundaries. Their stand of 323 was the first time New Zealand’s openers had surpassed 300 runs since Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis put on 387 against West Indies in 1972.
The decision to bat first proved decisive, with Latham breaking tradition as New Zealand had previously bowled in nearly all home Tests. The captain’s instinct to put runs on the board paid off spectacularly, as both openers took full advantage of a pitch that offered some early movement but eased as the day progressed. Conway, in particular, showed remarkable resilience, playing through cramp and injury while keeping the scoreboard ticking.
West Indies’ bowlers struggled to find rhythm. Kemar Roach accounted for Latham’s wicket late in the day, finishing with 1/63, while Jacob Duffy remained unbeaten at 9 as Conway continued to dominate. The visitors created few meaningful chances, with several half-chances going begging, compounding their frustrations. Discipline issues and inconsistent lines saw the day slip away as New Zealand batted in control.
The pair’s monumental effort not only ensured a commanding position for the Black Caps but also sent a clear message: New Zealand are determined to seal a 2-0 series sweep. Conway’s sixth Test century and Latham’s 15th highlight the depth and experience at the top of New Zealand’s order, setting a platform for a massive total against a West Indies side still searching for cohesion.
As the first day closed, the hosts were in the driver’s seat, leaving West Indies with a mountain to climb. The Bay Oval witnessed history, and if New Zealand maintain this intensity, the third Test could be another landmark in their dominance at home.
Score at stumps: New Zealand 334/1 (Devon Conway 178*, Tom Latham 137, Roach 1-63)
