Latham: 'Spending time at the crease was important'

During his impressive knock of 55, Tom Latham expectedly punished the pace bowlers with some splendid drives. Once the spinners were introduced, Latham, quick to use his feet, chose to hit over the top on the on-side.

Tom Latham plays the ball on the on-side during New Zealand's practice match against Mumbai at Ferozshah Kotla.

Tom Latham came good in his maiden appearance in India. Whether facing pace or spin, this young opening batsman showed tremendous sense of purpose as New Zealand took the field against Mumbai in a warm up match ahead of Test series.

During his impressive knock of 55, Latham expectedly punished the pace bowlers with some splendid drives. Once the spinners were introduced, Latham, quick to use his feet, chose to hit over the top on the on-side, getting most of his boundaries in the arc between square leg and mid-wicket.

“The ball wasn’t necessarily turning that big. Now, using the feet, coming down the wicket and to go over, was good method,” said the batsman explaining his game-plan against the turning ball.

He said the New Zealand batsmen wanted to spend time in the middle after being asked to bat. “I think most of the guys spent enough time at the crease so that will put them in good stead for the next few days.”

On batting in the morning session, on a fresh wicket, Latham said, “There was a little bit of swing early on, the odd one nipped back a little bit. That morning session was the hardest out there. I had to change the gloves. We have been here for three days and probably haven’t adapted to the heat quite yet but another day out in the park would help to acclimatise quickly.”