Latham wants continuity

New Zealand skipper Tom Latham is looking for continuity to the performances that took them to World Test Championship glory in 2021 against Bangladesh in their two-match Test series starting today.

New Zealand, who were crowned World Test Champions after beating India in the final in June last year, have had a great 2021 in the red-ball format as they played six Tests and lost only one. Their home form has been impeccable for some time now as they have only lost once at home in the last five years, winning 15.

And Latham, who is standing in as captain for the injured Kane Williamson, said they needed to continue that in the coming days.

“We’ve been having some really good success in these conditions but also away in these recent years. It’s more about [continuing] what this group’s been doing and have my own spin on things,” he said.

New Zealand, the current holders of the WTC, will look to keep their hands on the trophy, and Latham said that every match was important.

“Every game is really important. So as many points as we can get as possible would be great,” Latham said.

He also seemed unsure about the pitch in Mount Maunganui as he said, “Whether it browns off or holds its moisture, we’ll have to wait and see.”

This series will be the last Test bout for New Zealand great Ross Taylor, who announced that he will be retiring from all formats later this year.

Latham said that Taylor, who has played 110 Tests for the Blackcaps and has amassed 7584 runs, would love to go out with a series win.

“He would love to go out with a 2-0 series win,” he said.