NZ vs Eng, 2nd Test | New Zealand openers continue to thwart England after Stokes enforces follow-on
The Hindu
Latham and Conway each scored unbeaten half-centuries to push New Zealand to 128 for no loss at tea on day three
New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway defied England's bowlers for an entire session as Ben Stokes's decision to enforce the follow-on paid no immediate dividends on day three of the second Test in Wellington on Sunday.
Latham and Conway each scored unbeaten half-centuries to push New Zealand to 128 for no loss in their second innings, still 98 runs short of making England bat again.
Latham was 72 not out, with fellow lefthander Conway on 53, the pair's resilience warmly welcomed by most fans in the sold-out crowd after two days of English domination.
New Zealand were bowled out in the morning session for 209 in reply to England's declared first innings total of 435 for eight, the Black Caps falling 27 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.
Stokes had little hesitation sending the hosts back in to bat on an overcast morning but Latham and Conway survived 19 watchful overs to lunch.
Resuming on 40 for no loss after the break, the openers' resistance began to frustrate England's bowlers who had become accustomed to wickets falling regularly and cheaply this series.
Latham brought up his 5,000th test run as he moved to 45 with a single off James Anderson.