At Mount Maunganui, Tom Latham and Devon Conway did something no opening pair had managed before in Test cricket. Both scored centuries in each innings of the same match. It happened during New Zealand’s third Test against the West Indies, and it happened without fuss.
There was no sense of history in the moment. Just two openers doing their jobs.
Hours of work, not highlights
From the first session, the approach felt simple. Leave the good balls. Defend when needed. Take runs when they were offered.
The West Indies bowlers tried different angles and lengths. Nothing shifted the openers early. The partnership kept growing. By the time the first wicket fell, the damage was already done.
Conway’s double century anchored the innings. Latham played the supporting role, rotating strike and staying out there. New Zealand declared at 575 for eight and never looked back.
The second innings confirms it
When New Zealand batted again, the match situation felt settled. Still, the second innings mattered.
Latham reached his hundred without drama. Conway followed later. No raised arms. No long celebrations. Just bats raised and helmets adjusted.
That was the moment the record became clear. No opening pair had ever done this before. Not in more than a century of Test cricket.
Conway’s innings stood out
Conway’s first-innings 227 deserved attention on its own. He showed patience early, then control. He punished mistakes but did not chase runs.
By scoring another hundred in the second innings, he joined a small group of players to make a double century and a century in the same Test. It reflected how comfortable he now looks at the top of the order.
West Indies keep fighting
The West Indies never stopped competing. Facing a huge deficit, they dug in. Kavem Hodge’s unbeaten century helped them avoid the follow-on and pushed the match deeper.
It did not change the result, but it showed resolve in tough conditions.
Why it matters
Opening partnerships decide Test matches. They shape sessions and drain bowlers. Latham and Conway did more than that here.
They showed that patience still works. That technique still matters. That time at the crease counts.
This was not a loud performance. It did not need to be. It will still be remembered.
Moments like these remind fans why Test cricket still holds a special place in New Zealand sport. As the series continues and attention turns to what comes next for the Black Caps, readers can stay with Find NZ for further details, match updates, and wider coverage that matters to Kiwi audiences.
