Growing up, Tom Latham lived in the shadow of his father Rod Latham. After all, Rod Latham was part of that New Zealand squad in the 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup which had made the semi-finals.
While his father was an all rounder, Latham was primarily a top order batsman who could keep in the shorter formats.
Making his List A debut for Canterbury in January 2011, Latham scored a tidy 46 in the middle order and took two catches behind the stumps.
A year later, Latham made his ODI debut for the Blackcaps against Zimbabwe in Dunedin. Playing as a middle order batsman, Latham scored a brisk 24 before Elton Chigumbura had him caught behind. Latham’s introduction to ODI cricket was rough, and would have to wait twelve matches to make a real impact in the Blackcaps ODI outfit.
Opening the batting with New Zealand chasing 198 in 23 overs against Sri Lanka, Latham scored 86 off 68 balls as New Zealand won by four wickets with Latham picking up his first player of the match award in ODI cricket. But chances were hard to come by for Latham as spots were filled for New Zealand in the top and middle order.
Despite averaging a mere 23.9 after 26 ODI’s, Latham was included in New Zealand’s 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Just like Latham snr, Tom Latham was part of a special New Zealand World Cup squad that changed the face of New Zealand cricket as the Blackcaps finished runners up; although Tom Latham didn’t play during the World Cup.
Following the World Cup, Latham got more opportunities for the Blackcaps, as he scored his first ODI hundred (110 not out) in August 2015 against Zimbabwe in New Zealand’s 10 wicket victory chase of 236. With Brendon McCullum retiring from international cricket in February 2016, Latham became Martin Guptill’s long term opener in the 50-over format.
Despite performing well in bilateral series against Bangladesh and India, poor home series against Australia and South Africa saw Latham lose the opener’s spot to Luke Ronchi for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
However, not all was lost. Soon after the Champions Trophy, Latham was given a role that Grant Elliot and Neil Broom had held over the past few years – holding the middle order and ensuring there weren’t collapses after the top four set a platform. Batting at number five for the first time in almost three years, Latham looked a changed player.
Sweeping the Indian wrist spinners to a great effect, Latham scored 103 not out off just 102 balls as New Zealand chased down 281 with an over to spare.
Becoming New Zealand’s wicketkeeper in ODI cricket after the Champions Trophy, Latham became a mainstay in New Zealand’s middle order. Some of New Zealand’s best victories in the 50 over format came in a five match series against England in 2018.
With New Zealand in trouble at Hamilton and Dunedin with top order collapses in big run chases, Latham scored 79 at Hamilton and 71 in Dunedin as New Zealand completed two of their finest run chases in ODI history.
Consistent performances with both bat and gloves saw Latham make the Blackcaps 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup squad. Although he had an average tournament with the bat, Latham stepped up in the final with a 56 ball 47 against England to ensure New Zealand had a par score to defend.
In New Zealand’s last home ODI series, the Blackcaps were slightly behind at 3-171 in the 29th over chasing 348 against India at Hamilton. Coming in as stand in skipper for the game, Latham swept and swept the Indian spinners, scoring a quickfire 69 off 48 balls as New Zealand completed another fine run chase.
Latham was set to play his 100th ODI on 15 March 2020 at the SCG against Australia. Instead, the pandemic that is the coronavirus lead to the New Zealand squad leaving Australian shores with Latham stuck on 99 ODI matches.
With Kane Williamson ruled out of New Zealand’s ODI series versus Bangladesh, Tom Latham will lead the Blackcaps in his 100th ODI. And it’s been quite the wait between drinks for Latham to reach this milestone in ODI cricket.
Very few New Zealand cricketers have struggled to get out of their father’s shadows who have played for the Blackcaps – just ask Doug Bracewell and Hamish Rutherford. But not Tom Latham. He’s been one of New Zealand’s greatest Test batsman and a reliable middle order batsman in ODI cricket.
Having made his ODI debut at Dunedin, it’s fitting that he’ll lead the Blackcaps at the same ground where he made his ODI debut and even more so on a special milestone many cricketers dream of.
You are correct. I don't rate Latham at all actually. He is not a one day player's backside, an his test career is full of runs against minnows, but against the quality teams he is rubbish.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Blundell is the best keeper of the lot by miles (as good as Watling).
Paul
Roar Guru
yep, I realised it was the Tigers, but way to late to change.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Latham is a better keeper than all of em bar Seifert imo. Seifert and Blundell have poor List A numbers, so my bet is on Phillips to become Latham’s successor with the gloves in ODI cricket
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Not sold on Blundell as an ODI player his List A numbers are shockingly average
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Bangladesh* but yes I do feel NZ should win with ease tomorrow
Bobbo7
Guest
He is ten times the cricketer his father was. Rod Latham was an NZ classic. Batted and bowled a bit. Test average of 31, ODI average of 20 and bowled dibbly dobblers
Micko
Roar Rookie
I reckon the kiwis would've been better making Blundell the ODI keeper and top order batsman.
Targa
Roar Rookie
He's done well and is a good captaincy option, but there are suddenly lots of other guys good enough to keep wicket and bat in the top 6 in the ODI side (Conway, Blundell, Seifert, and Phillips).
Ben Simpson
Roar Pro
Definitely up there for me. Has a great batting style and seems like good bloke. Hope him and the blackcaps can continue their great form!
Paul
Roar Guru
it helps they're playing at home against a not great Sri Lankan lineup. That said, it is a 50 over games and we know how these can change quickly.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
I think the first ODI will be the first time he’s captaining the Blackcaps without Ross Taylor in the side. Gonna be interesting how he stamps his authority without two of NZ greatest ODI players. Personally, I feel he’ll continue to do what he’s done over the past few years and keep things simple.
Paul
Roar Guru
He's a terrific cricketer and has well and truly surpassed his father's deeds. I'm keen to see how he goes as captain, keeper and middle/lower order finisher. That's a lot of demands on one guy.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Yeah his average should be somewhere round 35-37 IMO. Crazy to think that four of New Zealand’s greatest run chases from 2017 have come off runs from Latham and Ross Taylor after top order collapses. Considering how selfless of a person KW is, I wouldn’t be surprised if he gave up ODI captaincy in 2023 after the WC and give Latham full time ODI captaincy
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
As a Test opener Latham has cemented himself. Taking he gloves on the ODI he has done much the same in the middle order but he needs to keep performing to lift that average; he's better than 32. When he has captained he has won 5 out of 6 which bodes well. Wouldn't it be grand if he scored a linch-pin century too. He needs to convert with 16 50s in the bank and the last century 2017 in Mumbai. Enjoying your articles Arnab...