Henry, Latham keep New Zealand alive

Hosts on 134-2 against Australia on day 2, lead by 40 runs

FE Team | Published: March 09, 2024 23:35:40

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Mar 09 (AFP): A timely return to form by New Zealand opener Tom Latham hauled the Black Caps back into the second Test against Australia Saturday as they overhauled a 94-run deficit to lead by 40 at stumps.
At the close, New Zealand were 134 for two with Rachin Ravindra not out 11 alongside Latham.
Latham, dropped by Alex Carey on 59, was unbeaten on 65 in New Zealand's second innings at Christchurch's Hagley Oval exactly a year after his last half-century against Sri Lanka at the same ground.
Following the early dismissal of Will Young for one, Latham and Kane Williamson put on a partnership of 105 for the second wicket.
"We're in the positives," a relieved Williamson said, adding "there's still plenty of hard work to do but the wicket is good.
"There's a lot of time left in this game and from our perspective it's about getting as many as we can."
Williamson, celebrating his 100th Test, reached his half-century with a single off Mitchell Starc, but faced only two more balls before he edged a Pat Cummins delivery onto his middle stump.
Australia were all out midway through the day with Marnus Labuschagne's masterful 90 laying the foundation for their first innings 256 in reply to New Zealand's 162.
"The intent from the first ball was to put the opposition under pressure. There was a nice pace in the wicket which was good for scoring," Labuschagne said.
With the pitch becoming more benign than it was when 21 wickets fell in the first five sessions, Latham and Williamson produced a morale-boosting century stand for New Zealand, who had struggled against Australia's intimidating attack.