Tom Latham ‘excited’ to be full-time captain, says past experience to come in handy

New Zealand’s new Test captain Tom Latham is excited to be full-time skipper ahead of the three-match Test series against India beginning from October 16. Notably, Latham replaced Tom Southee, who stepped down from his position after a 0-2 whitewash against Sri Lanka.

Notably, Latham has captained New Zealand in nine matches so far and has won four out of those and lost five. He last captained the team way back in 2022 against England in Nottingham. Commenting on his new role, Latham expressed his excitement calling it a privilege to captain the national team. However, the opening batter revealed that he will remained focused on giving his best for the team.

“Its huge exciting privilege for me to be in this position, if I am a captain or not a captain, I always try to perform my best for the team and that is certainly not going to be different being captain. Yes there is a more responsibility, but I have been in this situation before and have captained here before and back at home as well so I am excited to get into things and looking forward to it. I really don’t look too much into it, whether I am a captain or not, my main aim is to give my best,” said Latham in the pre-match press conference.

New Zealand’s dismal record in India

Latham also captained New Zealand in the second Test of their previous tour at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai which his team lost by 372 runs. The 32-year-old has scored 357 runs in India in Tests at an average of 35.70 with five fifties to his name. Meanwhile, New Zealand will be eyeing their first Test series win in India having lost 10 out of the 12 series played between the two teams in Asia.

The Blackaps have won just two out of 36 matches in India and drawn 17. The Tom Latham-led side will be eager to change their fortunes this time around and take India by surprise.