Latham ‘Hopes’ Kiwis Can Improve Against ‘World Class’ Indians

Tom Latham hailed the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin, who grabbed 6 for 81.

Tom Latham said India bowlers are world class. (Photo: AP)

Kiwi batsman Tom Latham is “hopeful” that New Zealand, who is currently trailing by a total of 276 runs, will put up a better show in the second innings of the final Test in Indore.

Latham who made 53 out of the New Zealand first innings tally of 299 and also stitched a stand of 118 with Guptill said:

It’s (pitch at Holkar Stadium) obviously deteriorating and turning more. We weren’t at our best today, lost wickets that we weren’t happy with. Hopefully we can rectify that in second innings.

Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed 6 for 81 in the first innings. (Photo: AP)

Indian Bowlers Are "World Class": Tom Latham

Latham hailed the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin, who grabbed 6 for 81 that included a spell of 3 wickets in 13 balls, and Jadeja, who picked up two wickets.

They are world class especially in their own conditions, bowled lot of overs, and took wickets. We’ve got a big couple of days and when we get chance with bat got to put those partnerships together.

Tom Latham

Latham was caught and bowled by R Ashwin in the first innings. (Photo: AP) 

He added:

We got to stick to game plan on surface and stay true to what we believe works. If you have the right technique and mental state you can score runs out there.

New Zealand conceded a big first innings deficit of 258 to India who made a mammoth 557 for 5 declared and then did not enforce the follow on, making 18 without loss in the second innings by stumps on day three of the five-day game.

Latham blamed the cluster of wickets that New Zealand lost in the post lunch session as the main cause for the team's predicament in the final game of the series which India have already secured.

(With inputs from PTI.)