ENG vs NZ: Tom Latham Hails Rachin Ravindra's Century In World Cup Opener, Says "Super Proud Of The Way He Has Come Out"

New Zealand National Cricket Team captain Tom Latham lauded opener Devon Conway and batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra for their heroics in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 clash against defending champions England National Cricket Team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, October 5.

New Zealand made a statement in the World Cup opener as they crushed England by 9 wickets, thanks to their brilliant all-round performance. Matt Henry shined with his 3-wicket haul while Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Mitchell Santner shared 6 wickets between them to restrict the Jos Buttler-led side to 282/9.

Chasing the target in the match, Will Young got out for a golden duck in the second over itself. However, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra added 273 runs in 211 balls to take the BlackCaps past the finish line.

The senior opener Devon Conway smashed a sensational 152 runs off 121 balls, with 19 fours and 3 sixes, while Rachin Ravindra hit 123 runs off 96 balls, with 11 fours and 5 sixes.

It’s a fantastic performance – Tom Latham

During the post-match presentation, New Zealand stand-in captain Tom Latham labeled his side’s performance as fantastic and showered praise on Conway, Rachin, and his bowlers. Tom Latham said:

“It’s a fantastic performance. Fantastic partnership between Rachin and Devon, but it was set up at the start. Fantastic effort with the ball to restrict them to 280 on that surface, it was a total below par. Credit goes to our bowlers for that effort. Been a pretty good build-up since the warm-up games. We have played in these conditions in the last year or so, that is really important.”

“The likes of two seamers (Henry and Boult) did a good job on top. We knew they (England openers) were going to come hard at us. Knew they would keep coming hard at us throughout the innings. We got wickets at crucial times, guys chipped in with some crucial overs and did well to restrict them to 280 odd from the situation they were in, that was outstanding.”

The Kiwi skipper said that the shots played by Conway and Rachin were pleasing to the eyes and he’s proud of the way the 23-year-old batted on the big stage. Tom Latham elaborated:

“Our batters played, they played some outstanding shots, that was the most pleasing. The shots they played was fantastic, they reacted to what was bowled at them, certainly that wasn’t the plan when they went out to play. Both must have felt really good when they played shots. He (Ravindra) played a fantastic innings and super proud of the way he has come out and played his best innings at that position..”