• Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.

    You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Tom Latham

hendrix

Hall of Fame Member
Probably deserves his own thread now. And I think it's fair that I'm the OP.

Anyway, good first class average after a season opening. I suspect that a quick ground averages check would separate him from the Guptills and Ravals who tend to score heavily on certain grounds against certain attacks, but I'll leave that to someone else.

What was very clear in the Latham vs Rutherford thread is that he has shots all around the wicket. He is stronger off the back foot, no doubt, but he's no mug at driving either. Kippax mentioned he might be susceptible to the short ball/yorker plan so a possible weakness there.

I am pleased that Hesson seems to have recognised the batting talent and isn't turning him into a utility keeper/batsman. I'm sure the keeping might come in handy at some point in time but top order batting in all formats is what he should be concentrating on.
 

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
I am pleased that Hesson seems to have recognised the batting talent and isn't turning him into a utility keeper/batsman. I'm sure the keeping might come in handy at some point in time but top order batting in all formats is what he should be concentrating on.
Yeah, as much as I obviously hate central planning ( :p ) Latham is really a win for good coaching/administration. He was at a real crossroads for a while where he could've been encouraged to become a genuine wicket keeper or a specialist middle order batsman rather than the opener New Zealand needed. Good call and it's paying off.
 

Blocky

Banned
I think it's entirely promising that his technique is showing up against the spin and reverse swing of the sub continent, but as an opening batsman I think the test will be how he goes against England, South Africa or Australia and their bowling attacks.

But I'm loving the fact that he's putting back to back performances in and showing the grit (and technique) that more favoured names don't have. Realistically, only he and McCullum have looked settled and in control out there.
 

Burgey

Request Your Custom Title Now!
A misunderstood, temperamental visionary. Hates cab drivers. Unlucky to lose to Howard in 04. Bit of a maddie.
 

Hurricane

Hall of Fame Member
I once said that he couldn't cover drive well and he proven me wrong by sending several searing drives to the fence. Would like to see him do it on the up to complete the array of shots. But then again does he need to...not really IMHO. It is unfair to say he is a batsman who plays within his limitations because he actually scores at a good clip - yet he is disciplined and doesn't try anything outside of his mastered shots (of which he has plenty)

@Hendrix we had a long term bet that he wouldn't average over 40 in tests. I will keep waiting for him to play in some seaming conditions before I declare you the winner but he is off to a good start.

Excellent temperament and knows how to build an innings.
 

_Ed_

Request Your Custom Title Now!
While I absolutely agree with all the praise and it's richly deserved, I now fear he's going to go and get himself out in the first over of play on day two.
 

hendrix

Hall of Fame Member
Oh yeah I forgot about that! 15 Tests wasn't it? Certainly a good start, but some tough tours coming up. I bet we prepare absolute green tops for SL, and then it won't be easy in England.
 

Blocky

Banned
While I absolutely agree with all the praise and it's richly deserved, I now fear he's going to go and get himself out in the first over of play on day two.
Agree. I'm not getting ahead of the game with Latham, I can still see some areas that his technique could be exposed against quicker bowling and as of yet, he's new to the test scene so people haven't worked out his areas..

The great thing though is seeing a left hander who is so good off his pads at the top of our order, made even greater by how good his off and on drives are.
 

ImpatientLime

International Regular
very intrigued to see how he goes against anderson and broad on their home turf next summer.

kane too for that matter.

root, buttler and ballance being tested against southee and boult.

gonna be a gun series.
 

Kippax

Cricketer Of The Year
Kippax mentioned he might be susceptible to the short ball/yorker plan so a possible weakness there.
Yeah yorkers leading to lbws or near-lbws have always been an interesting facet of the play I've watched of his. A product of his backlift and unorthodox grip I guess, requires quite an awkward jamming down on them.
 

hendrix

Hall of Fame Member
So are we all wanting him opening in the ODI side too?

Can't help but feel it was a big mistake having him in the middle order for the SA series.
 

straw man

Hall of Fame Member
Kerry O'Keeffe @kokeeffe49 · Nov 11
Saw best display of sweeping spin on a turning pitch since Matt Hayden back in the day...take a bow ,Tom Latham ..NZ v Pakistan last night !
 

Top