Latham smashes ton as New Zealand down India
Tom Latham was left thanking his lucky stars after smashing a majestic century to steer New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over India in Friday's opening one-day international in Auckland.
Latham hammered 19 fours and five sixes in an unbeaten innings of 145 runs off 104 balls. It was his seventh ODI century and his highest score in the format.
"It was one of those days when everything comes off. I don't really know where that came from -- the stars aligned, things fall into place," Latham said of his man-of-thematch innings.
The Black Caps were set 307 to win at Eden Park before Latham and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson put on a winning partnership of 221 runs.
"We bowled short of length and that's where Latham attacked us," said India captain Shikhar Dhawan. "We couldn't make a breakthrough when the partnership was on. Latham took the game away for us and that's when the momentum shifted."
Williamson finished on 94 not out as New Zealand went one up in the ODI series, having lost the Twenty20 series to India.
"It was an incredible knock by Tommy (Latham) — he was absolutely on fire," said Williamson.
"We were talking in the middle about just getting through the overs, but then he just flicked the switch. It was one of the more special ODI knocks I have seen and it was nice to be at the other end to watch it."
Hamilton will host the second ODI on Sunday. —