Latham’s enduring love affair with the Basin
You couldn’t blame Black Caps opener Tom Latham if he has a ring around every game at the Basin Reserve in this summer’s schedule.
In his last three first-class innings at the Wellington venue, Latham has scored 264 not out 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 in front by leg spinner Peter Younghusband after notching his third first-class double hundred for Canterbury.
Latham, who started day three of the match unbeaten on 102, hit 31 fours and one six in scoring Canterbury’s eighth highest firstclass score. He also holds two of the top seven – behind Peter Fulton’s 301no – with 241 against Wellington and 261 against Central Districts, both in the 2013-14 season.
Canterbury, replying to Wellington’s 525-7 declared, called their innings to a close at 415-9 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’s bowlers shared the wickets around with Iain McPeake, Malcolm Nofal and Michael Bracewell taking two wickets apiece.
Wellington’s second innings started strongly to put them in the box seat but three wickets late in the day helped Canterbury limit the damage to
186-6. Wellington 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.
Wellington 525-7 dec and
186-6 (Devon Conway 66, Fraser Colson 48, Malcolm Nofal 20no; Will Williams 3-40) met
Canterbury 415-9 (Tom Latham
224, Chad Bowes 46, Matt Henry
39; Iain McPeake 2-64, Malcolm Nofal 2-91, Michael Bracewell
2-54) at the Basin Reserve, Wellington.
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.
Brett Randell and Black Caps quick Trent Boult put on a rescue mission for Northern with a
75-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
Randell top-scored with 56 and Boult was the next best with 44.
Seth Rance was the pick of the Central bowlers with three wickets.
Earlier, Central started day two yesterday at 304-5 but only managed to add a further 67 runs before being bowled out.
Unwanted Black Caps T20 batsman Tom Bruce was left stranded on 71 not out as the tail fell around him.
Randell couldn’t add to his three wickets from the previous day but Black Caps bowler Neil Wagner and James Baker cleaned up the tail.
Central Districts 371 (George Worker 130, Tom Bruce 71no, Brad Schmulian 60; Brett Randell 3-50, Neil Wagner 3-104) met Northern Districts 202 (Brett Randell 56, Trent Boult 44, BJ Watling 28; Seth Rance 3-50) at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui.
For the second consecutive day, Otago and Auckland were unable to get onto University Oval for a single ball due to rain.