Tom Latham and Devon Conway pushed New Zealand into command with a 317-run opening stand at Trent Bridge, and Mitchell Santner’s side finished day one of the third Test on 361-4 against England. Latham made 151 and Conway 157, turning the opening day into a long chase for England.
Latham and Conway at Trent Bridge
The opening partnership was the highest New Zealand have ever made against England for any wicket, home or away. Latham reached his 17th Test century and moved level with Martin Crowe on New Zealand’s all-time Test century list, leaving only Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor ahead of him.
Conway’s 157 carried extra weight because he had made an around-the-world trip home to New Zealand and back again to attend the birth of his second child. He still came back and delivered the sort of opening innings that let New Zealand dictate the pace from the first session.
England’s Bowling Task
England’s review of an LBW shout off Shoaib Bashir when Conway was on 71 went unused, and that missed chance sat inside a first day that kept moving away from the home side. Josh Tongue then limped off the field before stumps clutching a hamstring, adding another complication to a bowling group already stretched before a ball was bowled.
New Zealand had already gone into the match without Kyle Jamieson and then lost Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips to injury in Nottingham, with Henry out because of a calf injury and Phillips because of a side injury. That left Daryl Mitchell and Will O’Rourke set to resume on day two, while England had a long first-innings recovery ahead after a wicket that was already showing signs of wear for the spinners.
Day Two Pressure
The scoreline gave New Zealand the edge, but the injuries around the game complicated both teams’ plans. England now need early breakthroughs on day two to stop the innings from building further, while New Zealand can keep the pressure on if Mitchell and O’Rourke extend the total past the 361-4 they posted by stumps.
