But that is how and where Latham has made his name. Of all the greats to have opened the batting for New Zealand, none have scored more runs, or more centuries than Latham at the top of the order.<\/p>\n
In a game that perhaps places far too much weight on statistics, Latham\u2019s test batting average of 39.62 doesn\u2019t tell the full picture, and sees him overlooked in conversations about the best players of this era.<\/p>\n
However, when considering that Latham\u2019s average in New Zealand is 44.35, it\u2019s easier to understand his significance in considering his time in the side has coincided with the sport\u2019s most successful period. <\/p>\n
Tom Latham celebrates his 15th test century, against the West Indies at Bay Oval. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
On top of that, with his job being to see off the new ball and make it easier for batters coming in after him, Latham averages facing nearly 80 deliveries per innings.<\/p>\n
That mark is superior to Australia\u2019s David Warner (61 balls per innings), South Africa\u2019s Graeme Smith (76 balls) and India\u2019s Rohit Sharma (65 balls) as modern-day openers. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe certainly value what he does, in our team,\u201d said Kane Williamson. \u201cHe\u2019s totally aware of that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that contribution within the group is the most important thing. He\u2019s done it in such a big way for a long period of time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s never overlooked in our group. I don\u2019t know what other people think. I think he\u2019s probably considered to be a very, very, high-quality opening batsman.\u201d <\/p>\n
Latham\u2019s importance was on show during New Zealand\u2019s 2-0 test series win over the West Indies this past month.<\/p>\n
Having entered the series without a test century in nearly three years, Latham finished the series with 427 runs, and reached triple figures three times.<\/p>\n
After 91 tests, Latham now has 16 test centuries. Only Williamson (33), Ross Taylor (19) and Martin Crowe (17) have more for New Zealand, coming in the middle order, after the openers – in theory – have made it easier. <\/p>\n
And while again accepting that numbers don\u2019t always tell the full picture, Latham himself concedes that the team\u2019s needs come before his own. <\/p>\n
\u201cYour currency as a batter is runs,\u201d Latham began. \u201cBut I\u2019ve always looked at what my role is in the team. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know as an opening batter, some days it\u2019s going to be tricky. Some of the surfaces that we play on can certainly be challenging.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe doing my role is all I\u2019m after, from a team point of view. If that means a little milestone and a tick in that column, so be it.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to put the team where we\u2019re in a position to push for wins is what this group is about, and certainly what I\u2019m about, and obviously to be able to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tom Latham and Kane Williamson. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Pleasingly for the Black Caps, 2025 has seen Latham end a lean run with the bat in test cricket.<\/p>\n
While a shoulder injury in Zimbabwe restricted him to just three tests, a batting average of over 71 will hopefully continue into 2026, when the Black Caps tour England and Australia, with a home series against India in between. <\/p>\n
And with the added responsibility of captaincy, Williamson predicts that the Black Caps are still to see the best of their captain. <\/p>\n
\u201cHis game is going to another level, I think,\u201d he added. \u201cHe\u2019s always just been an incredible, solid opener, probably our best ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo do it for 90-odd test matches, over 11 years as successfully as he\u2019s done, and building an incredible record, his contribution has been immense.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow with the captaincy, we\u2019re seeing bigger and better things from him. It\u2019s been brilliant to watch and be part of his career. He\u2019s got plenty left.\u201d<\/p>\n