NZ vs ENG: Tom Latham Surpasses 5,000 Run Mark In Test Cricket
Latham crosses the 5,000 run mark in Tests [Twitter]
Tom Latham is someone who often goes under the radar. In a team which has Kane Williamson, Latham's achievements are generally overlooked.
On Sunday, he became the seventh Kiwi batter to cross the 5,000 run mark in Test cricket. He achieved this feat against the visiting England side during the second Test match in Wellington.
In reply to England's mammoth first innings score of 435, New Zealand were bundled out for a mere 209. It was a late onslaught from Tim Southee that saved their blushes in front of the home fans. Ben Stokes enforced the follow-on and with their backs against the walls, Latham produced a counter-attacking innings to rattle the visitors.
In an innings laced with 11 fours, Latham scored a brisk 83, and gave a glimmer of hope to his side, By the time he was dismissed, the southpaw had added 5,038 Test runs, at an average of 41.63. The 30-year-old has 13 centuries in the longest format as well.
He is only behind Ross Taylor (7683 runs), Kane Williamson (7653 runs), Stephen Fleming (7172 runs), Brendon McCullum (6453 runs), Martin Crowe (5444 runs), John Wright (5334 runs) amongst the highest run-getters for the Black Caps.