[ad_1]
Black Caps substitute captain Tom Latham has seen quite a bit in the game as he prepares to play his 100th ODI against Bangladesh in Dunedin on Saturday.
The 28-year-old has had a front seat for most of Kane Williamson’s career, watching the injured captain racking up over 6,000 runs in the 50-plus format.
Hagen Hopkins
Tom Latham will play his 100th ODI against Bangladesh on Saturday at University Oval, the same field where he debuted against Zimbabwe.
Yet as the Black Caps prepare to enter a three-game ODI series without the man who has anchored so many of their innings, Latham sees similar qualities in rookie Devon Conway.
“He definitely does,” Latham said Friday. “Obviously in the last few seasons he has scored a lot of runs in all formats for Wellington.
READ MORE:
* Wellington Firebirds star Finn Allen will follow the IPL campaign with a season in England
* Black Caps coach says Ross Taylor may move on to next World Cup but backs ODI rookies
* Black Caps salutes the New Zealand team as Kiwi sport continues to ‘punch above its weight’
* Black Caps vs Bangladesh: Colin de Grandhomme set for ankle surgery as Daryl Mitchell shares rise
* Black Caps vs Bangladesh: Devon Conway, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell receive calls from ODI
“And we’ve seen this year when he came into the side [Black Caps], has made each post a winner in terms of T20 games.
“He has also been in the test group and tomorrow he will have the opportunity.
“I am sure he will be eager to show the form he has had in recent years, but also what he has shown for the T20 team.”
Joe Allison / Getty Images
Devon Conway watches during a Black Caps training session in Dunedin.
It’s a huge compliment to Conway, who will make his debut alongside Will Young and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell on Saturday with Mark Chapman and a fast pitcher to lose.
Opportunity will draw the attention of that trio against a Bangladeshi team that never won in New Zealand.
However, the injection of fresh faces also emphasizes the role Latham has to play, with the 28-year-old also admitting that he would like to put together a compelling ODI way to force his way back to the T20 with the World Cup in mind. held later this year.
“I would love to play T20 cricket,” Latham said.
Marty Melville / Photosport
Black Caps captain Tom Latham with Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal with the Alesha Mart ODI series trophy at Signal Hill in Dunedin on Friday.
“I haven’t played a lot of T20 cricket for Canterbury for the past few years.
“Being injured this year was a bit disappointing, but that’s cricket.
“Right now I’m focused on what I have to do with the one-day team and if that happens with the T20 team, then I would love to have the opportunity to play.”
For that to happen, the compact southpaw may need to show greater ability to score runs quickly.
Not that he doesn’t have that skill on his locker, but he did indicate that picking the right time to unleash that “power game” was something he was working on even as he spoke of his improvements over the years.
“Experience is the most important,” Latham said. “I hadn’t played much domestic cricket when I made my debut.
“To play the amount of international cricket that I have, I have probably gained experience in situations.
“My role has been slightly different on this side for the last three or four years.
“Being able to adapt to different situations is the most important thing that I have had to learn and… I am still learning… identifying situations, especially in the one-day format, of what you have to do.
“And the power game, when that has to come out.
“It’s always a job, it’s always something that you’re trying to improve, so hopefully that can keep improving as well.”
John Cowpland / www.photosport.n
Kane Williamson has a chat with Australian captain Aaron Finch after the T20 international at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
Still, Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal doesn’t expect the Black Caps to get away with it in the opening game of the three-match ODI series.
The Tigers have a difficult record in New Zealand and the chill in the Dunedin air on Friday suggested conditions might not be right for them, but tourists are eager to unleash some new players after preparing well in Queenstown.
“I think this time we have a solid fast bowling attack,” said Tamim. “We have some young bowlers that I am excited to see.
“They have done exceptionally well in practice games. I am excited for them.
“There is always an opportunity when you play against any team.”
TAKE A LOOK
What: Black Caps v Bangladesh ODI, first in a three-game series
Where: University Oval, Dunedin
When: Saturday, 11am.
Other accessories:
Black Caps v Bangladesh, Hagley Oval, Tuesday, 2pm
Black Caps v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Friday 11 a.m. M.
