Ex-New Zealand cricketer Craig Cumming has lauded Tom Latham for his wonderful captaincy, which paved the way in which for the Blackcaps to realize a historic 3-0 Take a look at sequence win over India.
It was Latham’s first sequence as New Zealand’s full-time Take a look at captain, and he guided New Zealand to an unbelievable sequence sweep in India.
“He captained the workforce brilliantly,” Cumming instructed SENZ Afternoons.
“He stored issues easy. He didn’t attempt to chop and alter on a regular basis with the spinners, and he confirmed nice belief in Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin within the second Take a look at, after which Ajaz Patel within the third Take a look at.
“However he didn’t attempt to introduce bowlers on a regular basis. In Sri Lanka, I believe they almost had too many choices, and Tim Southee tried to search out methods to at all times get folks within the sport.
“That’s not a criticism of Tim. However what I believe Tom Latham did, particularly with the ball and as a captain, was let bowlers simply bowl. He allow them to keep, and he didn’t attempt to introduce or change issues only for the sake of change.
The victorious New Zealand cricket workforce on the Wankhede Stadium. (Categorical Photograph by Amit Chakravarty)
“You may get hit for one over—that’s positive. We’ll keep it up. And I believe the simplicity of that method allowed them to be extra profitable. They at all times knew that they have been the best choice for these batters, and that gave them confidence to succeed.
“I believe after they look again, that simplicity shall be a trademark of this sequence. From the primary Take a look at, you possibly can see that was extra the Tom Latham fashion.”
Cumming highlighted Latham’s belief in Glenn Phillips in the course of the third Take a look at at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for example of this method.
“He stored issues easy. He didn’t attempt to chop and alter on a regular basis with the spinners, displaying belief in Santner within the second Take a look at after which Ajaz within the third.
“He didn’t attempt to consistently herald new bowlers. In Sri Lanka, they almost had too many choices, and Tim Southee tried to contain everybody.
New Zealand’s captain Tom Latham celebrates his half century on the second day of the second take a look at cricket match between India and New Zealand, on the Maharashtra Cricket Affiliation Stadium, in Pune, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (PTI Photograph)
“That’s not a criticism of Tim, however Tom Latham, particularly as a captain, let the bowlers settle into their rhythm. He didn’t make adjustments only for the sake of it.”
Cumming additionally famous that Latham’s affect was obvious within the batting division.
“They tried to be extra ingenious,” Cumming mentioned.
“They tried to be extra proactive. You possibly can actually see that method as a result of, as we noticed within the final Take a look at, you’re going to face difficult deliveries, however it’s a must to rating as many runs as you possibly can.
“They only fought. Each ball was a battle in itself.”