Top five opening partnerships for New Zealand in international cricket

Devon Conway and Tom Latham put on a record-breaking partnership for New Zealand against West Indies on the opening day of the third test match.

The tracks in New Zeland continue to be batting friendly, with the ongoing NZ vs WI series witnessing history. The country has produced some of the greatest opening batters, and on December 18, captain Tom Latham alongside partner Devon Conway gave their team an edge like none other.

They put up an opening stand of nearly 350 runs, and New Zeland lost just one wicket at the end of day’s play. Leading the three match series 1-0, this fabulous opening stand puts them in a great position for the rest of the series.

Today, we revisit NZ’s incredible batting history. Let’s take a look at the top five highest partnerships for New Zealand in international cricket.

Top five highest partnerships for New Zealand in international cricket

5. Mark Richardson & Lou Vincent- 231 runs against India

New Zeland’s tour of India in 2003 saw records being shattred. Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent went on to score 231 runs for the opening wicket, on a wicket which had some help for the bowlers.

Their tremendous stand helped NZ secure a draw in the second test, as the Kiwis batted for 198.3 overs and posted 630/6 (declared), thanks to two more centuries from Scott Styris and Craig McMillan.

4. Tom Latham & Jeet Raval- 254 runs against Bangladesh

Jeet Raval and Tom Latham put together a record breaking 254 run opening partnership during the first Test against Bangladesh in Hamilton, marking New Zealand’s highest stand for the first wicket since 1972 and their first double hundred opening stand since 2003.

Raval went on to score his maiden Test century with a disciplined 132, while Latham provided solidity at the other end, as the pair batted for over five hours to completely blunt the Bangladesh bowling attack and went on to win by an innings and 52 runs.

3. Stewie Dempster & Jackie Mills- 276 runs against England

Stewie Dempster and Jackie Mills registered one of New Zealand’s finest opening partnerships when they added 276 runs for the first wicket against England in the second Test at Wellington in 1930.

The duo gave the hosts a commanding start, with Dempster scoring 136 and Mills contributing 117, laying a strong platform despite a subsequent middle order collapse. Their stand remains the third highest opening partnership for New Zealand in Test cricket and a landmark moment in the country’s early red ball history.

2. Devon Conway & Tom Latham- 323 runs against West Indies

Tom Latham and Devon Conway produced a monumental opening partnership of 323 runs against West Indies at Mount Maunganui, the highest opening stand in Test cricket on New Zealand soil. Their effort laid a dominant foundation, blunting the bowlers for over 86 overs and setting the tone for complete control.

The stand was also the highest opening partnership in ICC World Test Championship (WTC) history, surpassing the previous record held by Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. Latham scored 137 while Conway hammered 227, underlining their status as New Zealand’s most successful opening pair in Test cricket.

1. Glenn Turner & Terry Jarvis- 387 runs against West Indies

Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis produced one of the most iconic opening partnerships in Test history when they put on 387 runs for the first wicket against West Indies at Georgetown in 1972. Their marathon stand, built on patience and discipline, completely shut the hosts out of the contest and stood as New Zealand’s highest opening partnership for decades.

Turner’s relentless run scoring and Jarvis’ lone Test century combined to deliver the fourth highest opening stand in Test cricket, a defining moment in New Zealand’s red ball history.

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