**By Andrew Alderson at Hagley Oval**




The leadership of Tom Latham has shone for New Zealand in the opening cricket test against the West Indies at Christchurch.



His place is already cemented at the core of the Black Caps golden era since a 2014 debut, but seeing the 33-year-old lean... into a straight drive on his home ground to bring up a 14th test century after a 40-innings drought felt like a crowning moment to three days of captaining by example.



Latham’s response felt more demonstrative than usual. His celebratory third run extended about another pitch beyond the main strip into David Warner jump territory before removing his helmet and raising both arms in triumph towards the pavilion.
He had earned the right.



On the opening day Latham eked out 24 off 85 balls in 174 minutes of batting torment as the West Indies steamed towards a verdant pitch under overcast skies.



His 93-run second-wicket stand with Kane Williamson looks pivotal in the context of the game.



Then came a crisis. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell tore his right hamstring. Latham took the gloves, issued directives from behind the stumps and snared four catches to further the team cause in the gloom.



That effort was compounded by a chanceless second innings ton in a record third-wicket partnership of 279 against the West Indies with Rachin Ravindra.


The most nervous moment came on 54, at 144-2, when Jayden Seales thumped him in front, only to discover the ball had pitched outside leg upon review.


Latham was eventually caught behind to an inside edge off Kemar Roach on 145 and exited to a standing ovation from the local faithful at a venue where he has scored the most test runs – 1299 at 49.96.



He maintained his discipline, largely stroking the ball along the Hagley carpet in perfect batting conditions as the pitch baked and their opponents faded on the third day.



As a result, New Zealand are poised to strike with rested bowlers across the remainder of the match.
Such diligence has always been a Latham trait.



This writer can remember the Cantabrian’s toil practising his short leg skills before playing Pakistan at Abu Dhabi in 2014. He surely crouched and sweltered in shin pads under a lid for longer than doctors would recommend in a bid to establish a place in the team.


Fast forward 11 years and that application has extended to captaincy.


He has already received the ultimate winning endorsement with a 3-0 test series victory away in India, arguably New Zealand’s greatest.
Now, as ever, he will look to push on with the minimum of fanfare.

Black Caps v West Indies: Tom Latham takes test captaincy to new heights at Hagley Oval – Opinion