New Zealand outlasted by Taylor

Cricket365
June 17, 2014

Batsman Tom Latham conceded New Zealand were outdone by West Indian fast bowler Jerome Taylor on day one of the second Test at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad on Monday.

Latham's standalone 82 was the lone highlight of an otherwise poor performance from the visiting batsman, with Taylor finishing with fine figures of four for 34 in a final total of 221 all out.

The Windies later moved to six for one, losing opener Chris Gayle shortly before the close of play. The recalled Kraigg Brathwaite and nightwatchman Sulieman Benn will resume on five not out and zero not out respectively on Tuesday.

"Jerome was exceptional, especially that spell after lunch. They certainly put the ball in the right areas for a good amount of time and made it a lot more difficult," said Latham.

The talented Latham, who managed a superb 83 and complementary 73 in the series opener, which the New Zealanders won by 186 runs inside four days earlier this month, cherished a promising stretch of form.

"It helps when you've got a few runs under your belt. You have to keep taking each innings at a time and you don't want to get too far ahead of yourself. Hopefully, in the second innings, if I do get an opportunity I can put the team in a good situation," he added.

Conditions in Port of Spain are proving considerably more conducive to seam bowling than the spin-friendly pitch encountered at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

"It's a funny sort of wicket, a little bit tennis-bally. The bounce is a little bit uneven. But the ball is still swinging so that's a positive sign for our bowlers leading into the second morning," concluded Latham.