According to BBC Sport, the pair added 323 runs for the first wicket, the second highest opening partnership in New Zealand Test history. Only Glen Turner and Terry Jarvis have posted a bigger stand, scoring 387 against the West Indies in Georgetown in 1972.
New Zealand, who lead the three match series 1 0, were put on a strong footing by the partnership that lasted 86.4 overs. It is the joint 12th highest opening stand in men’s Test cricket and only the eighth partnership of 300 or more for any wicket by New Zealand.
The highest partnership for New Zealand in Tests remains the 467 runs added by Martin Crowe and Andrew Jones for the third wicket against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1991.
Conway brought up his sixth Test century after facing 279 balls and hitting 25 fours. Latham, who won the toss, was given a reprieve when he was dropped on 104 by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach. He was later dismissed after being caught by a diving Roston Chase at first slip off Kemar Roach.
Latham faced 246 deliveries, struck 15 fours and a six, and registered his 15th Test hundred. The opening pair’s performance combined patience early on with fluent stroke play later in the day, giving New Zealand complete control of the match on the opening day.
