Latham smacks maiden double century as New Zealand dominate

New Zealand opener Tom Latham scored his maiden double century Monday as Sri Lanka’s attack enjoyed some rare success in the first Test at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.

Latham brought up his 200 after lunch on day three, taking New Zealand to 495 for five and surpassing his previous Test high score of 177 against Bangladesh at the same ground last year.

Latham took 412 balls to reach his milestone, hitting 16 boundaries on the way.

The 26-year-old has seven Test centuries in 39 matches and averages 36.

The Black Caps took their first innings lead of 213 late in the session but Sri Lanka’s bowlers, who have toiled for little reward on a flat pitch, snared two valuable wickets shortly after lunch.

Henry Nicholls was dismissed for 50 trying to take on spinner Dilruwan Perera.

BJ Watling then departed without scoring when he tucked his bat awkwardly under his arm as he ducked a Kumara bouncer and the ball clipped it on the way through.

Colin de Grandhomme nearly followed when he edged the first ball he faced to the slips cordon but Dimuth Karunaratne failed to make the catch.

However, the Blacks Caps remain in control and aim to take a big lead, with de Grandhomme smashing two straight sixes off Kasun Rajitha just before Latham reach his milestone.

Source: Agencies