Latham loves the Basin
Cricket
You couldn’t blame Black Caps opener Tom Latham if he rings every game at the Basin Reserve in this summer’s schedule.
In his last three first-class innings at the iconic Wellington roundabout, Latham has scored 264no for the Black Caps against Sri Lanka, 177 against Bangladesh and 224 for Canterbury in their Plunket Shield match against Wellington yesterday.
That’s 665 runs at an average of 332.5 in his last three innings’ at the Basin.
Latham was finally dismissed for 224, trapped leg before by leg spinner Peter Younghusband after notching his third firstclass double hundred for Canterbury.
Latham, who started day three unbeaten on 102, hit 31 fours and one six in scoring Canterbury’s eighth highest first-class score.
He also holds two of the top seven – behind Peter Fulton’s 301no – with 241 against Wellington and 261 against Central Districts. Both knocks coming in the 2013/14 season.
Canterbury, replying to Wellington’s 525-7 (declared), closed their innings at 415-9 – 110 behind Wellington – at the fall of Latham’s wicket.
Black Caps bowler Matt Henry (39), Cam Fletcher (28) and Andrew Hazeldine (32no) made handy lower-order contributions to keep Latham company.
Wellington bowlers shared the wickets around with Iain McPeake, Malcolm Nofal and Michael Bracewell taking two wickets apiece.
Wellington’s second innings has started strongly and they have a 296 run lead with four second innings wickets in hand heading into the final day.
Devon Conway – who scored 327no in Wellington’s first dig – was trapped lbw for Cole McConchie on 66 and Fraser Colson fell just two runs short of his 50 – one of three second innings wickets for Canterbury quick Will Williams.
Meanwhile, Northern Districts are facing a 169 run first-innings deficit to Central Districts, who are firmly on top at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui. Replying to Central Districts’ score of 371 all out, Northern were bowled out late yesterday for just 202.