WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s Tom Latham managed to score his 11th Test century before heavy rain washed out the final session of the first day of the second Test between against England at Seddon Park in Hamilton yesterday.
Jofra Archer bowled three deliveries of the 55th over with New Zealand unable to add to their tea score of 173 for three before rain swept across the area and ground staff rushed to cover the wicket block and parts of the outfield.
Umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Paul Wilson inspected the ground at 5.15pm (0415 GMT) and decided there was no further chance of play. The second day’s play will resume 30 minutes early today at 10:30am (2130 GMT).
Latham was on 101, his fifth Test century in his last 10 innings, while Henry Nicholls was on five when players left the field.
“If I knew what it was I’d be trying to bottle that up as much as possible,” Latham said about his run of form over the last two years.
“It’s just about trying to stick to a plan for long periods of time and that’s probably what’s given me success over the last year or so.
“I think sometimes you can get a little ahead of yourself and all of a sudden you’re walking back to the pavilion.”
England had chosen a five-pronged pace attack for the match with Chris Woakes coming in for left-arm spinner Jack Leach, although Ben Stokes appeared to suffer discomfort in his left knee while bowling and only managed two overs.
The team said it was unclear if he would bowl again in the innings.
Despite having first use of a pitch that often gives bowlers some assistance on the first day, England wasted their chance to hammer home the opportunity that Stuart Broad and Woakes created by dismissing Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson in the first hour.
Raval (five) and Williamson (four) were both snapped up by Root in the slips before Ross Taylor (53) and Latham combined for a 116-run partnership to drag their side back into the match.
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