IND vs NZ: “Built A Partnership With Kane Williamson And Had A Bit Of Fun” – Tom Latham After Match-winning ODI Ton vs India

The 30-year-old New Zealand National Cricket Team left-handed batter Tom Latham won the Player of the Match award for his remarkable century in the first ODI against India National Cricket Team at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday (November 25).

After being asked to bat first, Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill smashed brilliant half-centuries while Washington Sundar played a quickfire knock to help India post 306/7 in 50 overs.

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Indian openers Dhawan and Gill got off to a good start and had a 124-run stand. The Kiwis managed to pick up back-to-back wickets in the middle overs, but Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson had a brilliant 94-run stand and Washington Sundar played a wonderful knock while batting at No.7 to take the Men In Blue over 300.

Chasing the target, New Zealand were struggling at 88/3 after losing the wickets of Finn Allen, Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell. Tom Latham came to bat at No.5 and completely changed the game by constructing a terrific partnership with captain Kane Williamson.

Tom Latham smashed a sensational century and registered 145* runs off 104 balls, including 19 fours and 5 sixes. Williamson scored 94* runs off 98 balls, including 7 fours and 1 six.

They had an unbeaten 221-run partnership in 165 balls. This was the highest partnership for New Zealand against India in ODIs and overall the highest fourth-wicket partnership against India in ODIs.

New Zealand won the game comfortably by 7 wickets against India to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The second ODI will be held at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday, (November 27).

It was just one of those days when everything came off well – Tom Latham

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Tom Latham, the Player of the Match award winner, said that he had a good day and was striking the ball very well.

He said: “It was just one of those days when everything came off well. Built a partnership with Kane and had a bit of fun, just reacted to things and it paid off.”

Tom Latham added that batting against spinner Washington Sundar was a little tough, but in the end, he capitalised on the smaller boundaries to guide New Zealand to a 7-wicket victory.

He elaborated: “It’s about being in strong positions and react to what they were bowling. Was able to find the gaps. The preparation has been ideal, it’s been nice and was able to hit the ball right today.

“Sundar was getting some turn, found a bit hard to play against him. It’s a small ground and we could capitalize at the end. Don’t know where that came from, just one of those days.”

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