New Zealand wicketkeeper batsman Tom Latham has acknowledged preparations have been ideal for the Kiwis ahead of their limited-overs series in India.
New Zealand on Thursday completed their two-match tour game affair with a 33-run victory over the Indian Board President’s XI to level the series 1-1, with Latham scoring a fine 102 not out and Ross Taylor making 108 not out.
Latham, who played a key role in New Zealand’s win on Thursday sharing a 166-run stand for the fourth wicket with Taylor, admitted that the preparations are up to the mark.
“Yes, it has obviously been an ideal preparation for us. In the last couple of games we have been put in a little bit of pressure, it was nice for guys to have spent some time in the middle, bowled their overs and obviously we are coming from winter back home and it was nice for the guys to have a couple of hit outs,” Latham told reporters at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai after the conclusion of the second tour match.
Latham scored 59 in the first match and retired out on 108 in the second to signal a rich form, batting at his new position of No 5. The left-handed batsman said it is more of a tactical change for the New Zealand team.
“Yeah it is obviously a little bit of change from the last couple of years but that is something that we have discussed about moving to that position. It was nice to have spent some time in the middle and get familiar with that role today,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“Yeah it is obviously a little bit of change from the last couple of years but that is something that we have discussed about moving to that position. It was nice to have spent some time in the middle and get familiar with that role today,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman said his side is ready to face the challenge that India poses in form of the bowling pair of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Latham said, “Obviously we will do our scouting. A couple of left-armers and the leggie playing today, that is an ideal preparation. Whatever we need we can get… stuff from the footage and that sort of things. We obviously know that they are quality bowlers and have done really well in the previous series.”
Latham said a player can get as fit as he can, but nothing can help him prepare for playing in the hot and humid conditions like in India.
“I am not sure you can do anything to prepare for this sort of heat. You can be as fit as you can, but it is about getting out there. The first game here (on Tuesday) it was pretty hot and today it was not too bad so that is a temperature thing or we are getting more used to it.
“I guess it is one of those things you cannot prepare for, we have been in these conditions before so we sort of know what it is going to be like,” he expressed.