Last Updated on 3 hours ago by Charbel Coorey
New Zealand made the best possible start to the third and deciding 2026 Test against England with Tom Latham and Devon Conway producing one of the highest opening partnerships in Black Caps history.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Latham (151) and Conway (157) put on 317 for the first wicket – the highest partnership for any wicket for New Zealand against England. Also, their 317-run stand is only the third time an opening pair has produced a 300+ partnership in England, joining Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs (338) for South Africa in 2003 and Geoff Marsh and Mark Taylor (329) for Australia in 1989.
List of highest opening partnerships for New Zealand in Tests
But where does this mammoth opening stand sit among New Zealand’s biggest in history? Here is a look.
387 by Terry Jarvis and Glenn Turner against West Indies, Georgetown, 1972
Terry Jarvis and Glenn Phillips batted the West Indies into oblivion during the fourth Test of their 1972 Caribbean tour. After Gary Sobers’s team managed 365/7d, Turner (259) and Jarvis (182) took “batting long” to a whole new level.
Turner faced a remarkable 759 deliveries – the second-longest innings by balls in Test history. Jarvis wasn’t too shabby either, facing 555 deliveries in what is the 21st-longest innings to date.
New Zealand batted 268 overs for their total of 543/3d. The Test ended in a draw.
323 by Tom Latham and Devon Conway against West Indies, Mount Maunganui, 2025
Tom Latham and Devon Conway hit the second-highest opening partnership for New Zealand in December 2025. The pair combined for 323 in 86.4 overs, with Conway (227) scoring his second double century. Latham batted 246 balls for his excellent 137.
If that wasn’t enough, the pair also hit hundreds in the second innings, becoming the first opening pair in First Class history to make centuries in both innings of the same match.
New Zealand flexed their muscle after West Indies sealed a stunning draw in the first Test in Christchurch. The Black Caps won the second Test in Wellington by nine wickets before sealing the series 2-0 with a 323-run win amid more West Indies batting fight in Mount Maunganui.
317 by Tom Latham and Devon Conway against England, Trent Bridge, 2026
Latham and Conway’s latest exploits means they have two of the three highest opening partnerships for New Zealand. While conditions were magnificent for batting at Trent Bridge, the pair batted beautifully, seeing off the new ball before picking off the England attack at will.
Latham (151) brought up his 17th Test hundred, while Conway (157) hit his eighth and showed his ability to go big once set. This huge partnership could prove crucial in the final analysis as stars Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips were ruled out due to injury.
Highest opening partnerships for New Zealand in Tests:
| Partnership | Batters | Opposition | Year |
| 387 | Terry Jarvis & Glenn Turner | WI | 1972 |
| 323 | Tom Latham & Devon Conway | WI | 2025 |
| 317 | Tom Latham & Devon Conway | ENG | 2026 |
