Published: Nov 12, 2014, 07:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 12, 2014, 05:17 AM (IST)
Tom Latham made a dogged hundred on Tuesday against Pakistan. He has shown a lot of promise in the four Tests he’s played. Indrajit Dutta puts forth how he could be the answer to New Zealand’s opening woes.
Tom Latham is one for the future. His 103 against Pakistan on Day 3 of the opening Test on Tuesday at Abu Dhabi was the one knock that stood out in an otherwise disappointing batting performance from his side.
For the young New Zealander this knock is doubly special as this was his first ton in Test cricket, he also emulated dad Rod who had made a century against Zimbabwe in 1992.
This was also his first outing in sub-continental like conditions against a testing bowling attack. The man from Christchurch displayed maturity way beyond his years as he gritted it out.
Since the retirement of Mark Richardson the Kiwis have struggled to find an opening batsman who can bat for hours on end on any wicket and in any situation. Richardson was known for his dogged style of batting which often blunted the opposition’s bowling attack. Though Latham has a long way to go he has shown in his short four Test career that he is similar to Richardson in this regard. It would not be a surprise if Latham churns out a long innings sometime in the near future.
Early on, on Day 3 he watched star batsmen Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor fall cheaply against the dangerous Pakistani attack. McCullum looked particularly uncertain, but at the other end Latham marched on undeterred.
On Tuesday against the spinners Zulfiqar Babar and Mohammad Hafeez there were periods of uncertainty, two dropped chances of their bowling show that. The heartening thing for a Kiwi cricket fan is that he did not let this affect him and he stuck to his task.
Latham’s career got off to an inauspicious start when he was out for a duck against India in the second Test at Wellington. He was caught behind by MS Dhoni off Ishant Sharma. It was on New Zealand’s tour of West Indies earlier in the year that he provided evidence of his talent.
His 83 in the first Test at Kingston set his team up for only their second victory in the West Indies. This was also his first time as an opener. Here again he displayed a great deal patience. He frustrated the West Indian attack.
He was not done there. In the second innings he made a valuable 73. This was a very handy knock especially as New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals in their pursuit of quick runs to set up a declaration.
Latham followed this up with a hard-fought 82 in the first innings of the second Test. Unfortunately, the rest of his team did not do well as they could only make 221 and they lost the Test eventually.
On Tuesday against Pakistan his 103 came in similar circumstances although it remains to be seen whether they will lose or draw the game. If New Zealand are to draw this game another notable innings from Latham is required. Kiwi fans would dearly hope for one.
(Indrajit Dutta is a reporter with CricketCountry. He is also a published poet and author. His Twitter handle is @duttaindro)
