Agencies
There is a significant void in New Zealand’s ODI squad to the tune of 383 matches, 14747 runs and 34 centuries. The last time the Black Caps played without either Kane Williamson or Ross Taylor was in October 2014. Stand-in captain Tom Latham, who’ll play his 100th ODI on Saturday, will have something of an inexperienced unit to marshall in the series opener against Bangladesh.
In Devon Conway though, Latham will inherit a proven performer from the domestic circuit with a not too dissimilar appetite for runs like the aforementioned greats of the game. To a large extent, Conway’s impending ODI debut was delayed due to residency requirements.
“The last few seasons [Conway] has scored a truckload of runs in all formats for Wellington,” said Latham on the eve of the game. “We’ve seen when he’s come into the side he’s made every post a winner in terms of the T20 games. He’s been in the Test group as well and he will get his opportunity tomorrow. I'm sure he’ll be looking forward to showing the form he’s had over the last couple of years, but also what he’s shown for the T20 side.”
Also in line for ODI debuts tomorrow are Will Young and Daryl Mitchell. Young has already been thrust into action in the Test side along with Mitchell, who has 51 wickets to go with his three List A hundreds.
“It’s a great opportunity for this group,” Latham said. “A slightly different group with a few new faces in this side. We’ve played some really good cricket this year, red ball and white ball, so hoping that will continue.”
Expectedly, the pressures of the big absentees will fall on Latham’s shoulders, who is on a quest to fine-tune his white-ball game. A regular in the ODI side, Latham is hoping to show off his power game and stake a claim for a place in the T20 World Cup squad. “I’d love to play T20 cricket,” Latham said. “I haven’t played a huge amount of T20 cricket for Canterbury over the past couple of years.
“Being injured this year was a bit disappointing but that's cricket. At the moment I'm focused on what I have to do with the one-day side and if that happens with the T20 side then I’d love the opportunity to play.
