Every now and then, a sporting event comes along that forces you to just stop, sit back, and marvel at what you've just witnessed. It's a moment that transcends the game itself, etching its way into the history books. At Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui in December 2025, we saw exactly that. New Zealand's opening batsmen, Tom Latham and Devon Conway, didn't just have a good game against the West Indies; they systematically dismantled the record books in a way that left statisticians scrambling and fans in awe.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Tom Latham and Devon Conway became the first opening pair in first-class history to score hundreds in both innings of a match.
- ✓ The pair added a world record 515 runs for the opening stand across both innings, smashing the previous best by 100 runs.
- ✓ Conway became only the 10th batter in Test history to score a double-hundred and a hundred in the same match.
- ✓ New Zealand openers scored a total of 565 runs in the match, the highest aggregate ever for a team's opening pair.
- ✓ The match saw the highest-ever aggregate for first-wicket partnerships, with a combined 669 runs from both teams.
- ✓ Despite New Zealand's dominance, West Indies' Kavem Hodge scored a defiant career-best 123*.
This wasn't just about scoring runs. It was a masterclass in concentration, skill, and relentless partnership. We're talking about feats that have never, ever been seen before in the long and storied history of cricket. Forget just Test matches—we're talking about the entire history of first-class cricket. Let's dive into what made this performance so incredibly special and why it will be remembered for decades to come.
A Record That Will Likely Stand for Generations
Let's start with the headline act, the record that is so monumental it almost sounds made up. For the first time in the entire history of first-class cricket, an opening pair scored hundreds in both innings of a match. Think about that for a second. We've had over a century of professional cricket, thousands upon thousands of matches, and this has never happened before. It's a staggering testament to the consistency and synergy between Latham and Conway.
There have been other instances of two teammates scoring twin tons, but they are incredibly rare and none have been an opening duo. The legendary Australian brothers, Ian and Greg Chappell, did it back in 1974. More recently, we saw Pakistan's Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq achieve it in 2014, and Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis in 2024. But for the two players tasked with facing the new ball to both do it, twice, is just another level of difficulty.
What this tells us is that their dominance wasn't a fluke in the first innings. After putting on a mammoth 323-run partnership, they came out in the second innings and did it all over again with a 192-run stand. This kind of sustained excellence is what separates great players from legendary ones. They completely neutralized the West Indies' bowling attack, not once, but twice, on a pitch that still offered some challenges with its uneven bounce.
Beyond the Twin Tons: A Mountain of Runs
The "twin hundreds" record is the one for the history books, but the sheer volume of runs they compiled is almost as mind-boggling. Their combined opening partnership total for the match was an unbelievable 515 runs. To put that in perspective, the previous record held by South Africa's Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith was 415 runs. Latham and Conway didn't just edge past the old record; they smashed it by a full 100 runs. That's not just breaking a record; that's setting a new benchmark that might never be touched.
The Devon Conway Masterclass
While the partnership was historic, we have to take a moment to appreciate the individual brilliance of Devon Conway. Following up his first-innings double-century (227) with a century (100) in the second is the stuff of dreams. In doing so, he joined an ultra-exclusive club of just ten batsmen in the entire history of Test cricket to achieve this feat. It places him in the company of the absolute legends of the game.
What's fascinating is that this seems to be a growing trend in the modern era. Shubman Gill had achieved the same milestone earlier in 2025, suggesting that the fitness levels and aggressive mindsets of today's players are allowing them to sustain peak performance for longer periods within a single match. Conway's total of 327 runs in the match is the third-highest ever by a New Zealand batter, trailing only the great Martin Crowe and Stephen Fleming. He wasn't just scoring runs; he was making a statement.
From my perspective, Conway's approach was key. He was watchful when he needed to be, particularly against the new ball and the menacing Jayden Seales. But the moment he saw an opportunity, he pounced. His glorious cover drives against the pacers and his use of feet to launch the spinners over the leg side showed a complete batting arsenal. He reached his second-innings half-century in just 63 balls, a clear sign of his intent to dominate, not just survive.
A Tale of Two Lathams: A Family Legacy
Amidst all the jaw-dropping statistics, there's a wonderfully human story that adds another layer to this achievement. By sharing in two century stands in the match, Tom Latham joined his own father, Rod Latham, in an exclusive New Zealand record. The only other time a Kiwi opening pair had managed two century partnerships in a single Test was back in 1992, when Rod Latham and Mark Greatbatch did it against Zimbabwe. It's a beautiful piece of cricketing symmetry.
You can only imagine the pride in the Latham household. For a son to not only follow in his father's international footsteps but to emulate one of his unique records is truly special. Tom Latham’s performance was the perfect complement to Conway's flair. While Conway often took charge of the scoring, Latham was the anchor, happy to hang back before shifting gears spectacularly. His second-innings fifty came off 77 balls, and he used the sweep shot to devastating effect against the spinners.
This also marked Latham's 16th Test century, further cementing his place as one of New Zealand's finest openers. He joins an elite group of New Zealanders like Glenn Turner and Peter Fulton to score twin hundreds in a Test match, a clear indicator of his class and temperament at the highest level.
But Don't Forget the West Indian Fight
It would be easy to think this match was a complete walkover, but that would do a disservice to the grit shown by the West Indies. While their bowlers toiled, their batsmen showed real character. The standout performance came from Kavem Hodge, who ground out a magnificent, career-best 123 not out in the first innings. His innings was crucial in ensuring the West Indies weren't completely buried under the weight of New Zealand's massive first-innings total of 575.
Furthermore, the West Indian openers, Brandon King and John Campbell, refused to be intimidated. They put on a defiant 111-run stand in the first innings and, faced with a monumental target of 462, they once again provided a solid start in the second. King, in particular, was enterprising, racing to 37 runs while Campbell played the anchor role. Their resistance meant that heading into the final day, all three results were still technically possible, a testament to their fighting spirit.
Even in the field, there were moments of brilliance, like Jayden Seales' incredible relay catch on the boundary to dismiss Conway in the second innings. This wasn't a team that rolled over; they were simply outplayed by a duo having a once-in-a-lifetime match.
The Bigger Picture and What This Means for Test Cricket
So, what does a performance like this mean in the grand scheme of things? On one hand, it's a celebration of individual and partnership brilliance. It's a reminder of why Test cricket, with its capacity for marathon feats of endurance and skill, remains the pinnacle of the sport. These are the kinds of performances that elevate the game and inspire the next generation.
On the other hand, it does raise questions about the balance between bat and ball in modern Tests. When records are not just broken but completely shattered, it often points to batting-friendly conditions. However, the reports of uneven bounce and the fact that bowlers like Jacob Duffy still managed to pick up key wickets (4-86 in the first innings) suggest it wasn't a complete road. Instead, this was a case of two batsmen who were in supreme form and completely in sync with each other.
Ultimately, this match, played under the banner of the ICC World Test Championship, became an instant classic. It had everything: historic records, individual heroics, and a spirited fightback from the underdog. It’s a powerful reminder that even in an era dominated by fast-paced T20 cricket, there is nothing quite like the narrative and drama of a five-day Test match.
Conclusion
When the dust settled at Bay Oval, Tom Latham and Devon Conway had done more than just win a match for New Zealand; they had carved their names into cricket's eternal folklore. Becoming the first opening pair in history to score centuries in both innings is an achievement that is difficult to fully comprehend, a perfect storm of talent, timing, and tenacity. Their demolition of the record books was a spectacle of the highest order.
This was more than just a great performance; it was a history lesson unfolding in real-time. It showcased the sublime skill of two batsmen at the peak of their powers, the beautiful narrative of a family legacy continuing, and the unyielding spirit of an opposition that refused to quit. It’s matches like these that we’ll be telling our grandkids about—the day two men opened the batting and rewrote history.
About the Author
This article was written by the editorial team at ChopalCharcha, dedicated to bringing you the latest news, trends, and insights across entertainment, lifestyle, sports, and more.
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