Tom Latham has spent of his playing career as an aggressive opening batsman-wicketkeeper, modelling his game on Australia's Adam Gilchrist and Brendon McCullum © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Christchurch: Jun 17, 2012
Tom Latham, who is making final preparations for his first overseas tour during New Zealand’s visit to the West Indies, had to take three injections in one arm and two in another to prepare for the tour.
"It was also a bit tough to sleep too, because you'd roll over on your side and it'd be sore," the 20-year-old was quoted saying by Times of India.
New Zealand have two Twenty20 internationals in Florida, part of their joint venture with USA Cricket to promote the game in the country, five one-dayers and two Tests on the tour.
Latham has spent of his playing career as an aggressive opening batsman-wicketkeeper, modelling his game on Australia's Adam Gilchrist and Brendon McCullum, but has recently eschewed the gloves at first-class level to concentrate on his batting, where he has moved down to the middle order.
"I'm definitely keen to keep the wicket-keeping going," he said. "I don't see myself as the number one keeper at the moment, but it's always good to have to make tours when they look at the make up of the side as a backup keeper.
"It's between me and BJ I think. They (the selectors) have said I'm a keeping option and I will be doing as much as I can to keep that going, because as my dad said 'it's just another string to the bow'."
Latham said he is keen to make the Test side as well, as he felt it not only suited his style of play but was the goal all cricketers should aspire to.
"I have been given an opportunity with the Twenty20 and one-dayers but test cricket is the pinnacle. That's my ultimate goal, to play for the Blacks Caps in test cricket," he said.
"I want to cement myself in the New Zealand side and play as much cricket for them in all three forms. My main goal at the moment is working towards the 2015 World Cup (in Australia and New Zealand).
"There are a few opportunities coming up... but if I'm batting at one or 11 in the New Zealand team I'll be happy."
