Latham and Ravindra Propel New Zealand to Dominant Position Against West Indies

In a commanding display at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand established a significant lead against the West Indies during the first Test of the 2025-27 World Test Championship. New Zealand ended the day at 417-4, thanks to stellar centuries from Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra. The duo’s partnership of 279 runs for the third wicket marked the ninth highest in New Zealand’s Test history.

After scoring 231 in their first innings, New Zealand’s batsmen dominated the second, with Ravindra making an impressive 176 and Latham contributing 145. The West Indies struggled in the field, unable to capitalize on early chances, and now face a daunting target of 481 runs for victory.

Historic Performances Highlight New Zealand’s Batting

Under the bright sun at Hagley Oval, Tom Latham ended his near three-year wait for a Test century with a powerful innings. His last century came against Pakistan on Boxing Day in 2022. The emotional moment was marked by a vigorous bat wave to the home crowd, which included his father, former New Zealand international Rod Latham.

Latham’s innings was characterized by controlled aggression, with runs flowing freely after lunch as the West Indies bowlers struggled to contain the pair. He showcased his ability by scoring 145 runs across the ground, particularly excelling through backward square and backward point. This performance brought Latham to a milestone of 6,000 Test runs, making him the fifth New Zealander to achieve this feat.

Rachin Ravindra, benefiting from two dropped catches early in his innings, took full advantage of the West Indies’ misfortune. Scoring at nearly a run a ball, he celebrated his fourth Test century with a stunning pull shot to the midwicket boundary. His previous high score was 240 against South Africa in February 2024.

West Indies’ Struggles Continue

The West Indies began their innings promisingly, reaching 100-2 with Shai Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul at the crease. However, their fortunes quickly diminished, and they collapsed to 167 all out, leaving them with a significant first-innings deficit of 64 runs. Latham’s leadership was instrumental in maintaining New Zealand’s momentum.

New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Kemar Roach and Ojay Shields, managed to take key wickets, including that of Kane Williamson, who fell for just nine runs, caught by wicketkeeper Imlach. The West Indies now face the challenge of chasing a record target at Hagley Oval, where New Zealand previously made history with a thrilling win against Sri Lanka.

As the match progresses, the West Indies will need to reflect on missed opportunities and strategize their approach to achieve an improbable victory. With New Zealand in such a strong position, the likelihood of a successful chase appears slim.