New Zealand cricket team openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham went absolutely berserk at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Day 1 of the ENG vs NZ 3rd Test, helping the Kiwis shatter many records. Batting first in the must-win game, the NZ opening batters stitched together a 317-run opening stand, allowing the visitors to finish at 361/4 at stumps. Multiple records were broken by New Zealand on Day 1 of the 3rd Test as the Kiwis inserted themselves firmly in the driver’s seat.
Records shattered by New Zealand on Day 1 of ENG vs NZ 3rd Test
The 317-run partnership between Conway and Latham is the third-highest first-wicket partnership for New Zealand in Tests. The duo also hold the record for the second highest opening stand as well, having scored 323 runs in December 2025 against West Indies. The 317-run stand is also New Zealand’s highest partnership for any wicket against England. As for the hosts, it was only the third time since they conceded 300+ opening partnership in Tests so far.
The second 300+ run stand between Conway and Latham makes them the only second opening duo to achieve the feat after Greame Smith and Herschelle Gibbs – who have done so on three occasions. The two batters also became only the third opening pair to post a 300-plus stand in a Test in the UK. While the partnership was New Zealand’s second-highest for any wicket in away Tests, it was also the first 300+ stand by a visiting pair vs England since 2012.
The partnership between Conway and Latham is also the joint second highest opening stand in World Test Championship (WTC) history. It is also the sixth century opening stand between the duo, the most for New Zealand.
Latham was dismissed after scoring 151 runs off 214 deliveries, which included 15 fours. With this knock, Latham is joint-third on the list of most centuries for New Zealand in Tests (17) along with Martin Crowe, with Kane Williamson (33) and Ross Tayor (19) above him. This was also his seventh 150+ Test score, the second most for the Kiwis.
The pair of New Zealand openers are just the second New Zealand opening pair with 150-plus each in a Test innings. They are also only the 2nd opening pair to score 150-plus each in a Test innings against England.
Meanwhile, England sank to a new low as the 361-run total amassed by New Zealand on Day 1 of ENG vs NZ 3rd Test was the most runs scored by any team against England since Brendon McCullum took over as head coach. This is also the most England have conceded on the first day of a Test since South Africa got to 362/4 at The Oval in 2003.
