Winless in India in 36 years, Latham wants New Zealand to play with freedom

Latham has taken over the captaincy from Tim Southee ahead of the three-match Test series in India beginning on October 16 in Bengaluru.

File image of New Zealand Test skipper Tom Latham (John Davidson/Photosport via AP) | Photo Credit: JOHN DAVIDSON

New Zealand’s new Test captain Tom Latham feels the only way to challenge an almost invincible India in its own backyard is by playing fearless cricket.

Latham has taken over the captaincy from Tim Southee ahead of the three-match Test series in India beginning on October 16 in Bengaluru.

“It’s an exciting challenge going over to India and once we can go over there, hopefully play with a bit of freedom, bit of no fear and try and take it to them. If we do that hopefully, it gives ourselves a good chance,” said Latham ahead of the team’s departure to India on Friday.

While India has won its last 18 series at home, New Zealand comes to India on the back of four successive series defeats in the World Test Championship, most recently against Sri Lanka. New Zealand has won only two Tests in India with its last one coming back in 1988.

“In India, we’ve seen teams that have done well out there in the past have been quite aggressive towards them, especially with the bat they’ve looked to play a few shots, but also put them under pressure...rather than sitting and waiting for something to happen.

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“We’ll decide on how we want to play when we get over there, but guys have got plans around how they like to approach things and hopefully we can fine-tune those.” Despite the 0-2 defeat in Sri Lanka, left-handed Latham reckons the team got a few things right in the island nation.

“We actually did some really good things in Sri Lanka. We fell on the wrong side of the results but there were some good things. The approach we had with the bat, apart from that one innings, I thought we played really well.

“So it’s about continuing that as much as we can and trying to play a brand of cricket that we are proud of playing,” he said.

Latham’s predecessor Southee has not been at his best with the ball over the 12 months. The emergence of pacer Will O’Rourke means Southee is not a sure starter in the playing eleven.

The skipper, however, backed the veteran.

“If you look back, think in Bangalore (Southee) took seven wickets last time we toured there,” Latham said.

“Someone with that amount of experience who’s done it for many years there’s certainly no reason why he can’t get back to where he’s been in the past. He’s been a fantastic bowler for us for many years, there’s a reason why he’s so high on the wicket list for New Zealand.

“He’ll have a similar role that he has always had whether it’s as captain or in the past, someone like that who has a wealth of experience, a wealth of knowledge in all conditions and he’s done it for many years and has been successful. We’ll certainly be tapping into his mind, his ideas, so looking forward to it,” he added.

The first Test will be played in Bengaluru, second in Pune and third in Mumbai.