On this special episode of The BYC Podcast, Dylan Cleaver and ACC Head G Lane are joined by Black Caps Test Skipper and Great New Zealander Tom Latham (00:00)!
Tom Latham opens up on Black Caps glory, dressing-room banter and a golf game that needs serious work.
If anyone still thinks Tom Latham is one of New Zealand cricket's most understated stars, his latest appearance on The BYC Podcast only reinforces it. Fresh off a remarkable run that has seen the Black Caps conquer India away and win a Test series in England, the veteran opener and captain reflected on a golden era for New Zealand cricket with equal parts humility, humour and quiet confidence.
Latham revealed he is potentially just five Tests away from reaching the coveted 100-Test milestone, a feat achieved by only a handful of New Zealand cricketers. When asked who he would choose to present his commemorative cap, his answer was a nostalgic one: childhood hero Brendon McCullum, along with other cricketing idols such as Adam Gilchrist and Mike Hussey, a controversial pick given his 100th Test may well come against Hussey and Gilchrist's countrymen at the MCG on Boxing Day.
The conversation also revisited the Black Caps' memorable triumph in England, particularly the remarkable opening partnership between Latham and Devon Conway at Trent Bridge. Latham described the satisfaction of helping set the tone in a series-deciding Test and said the tour would likely become a benchmark for future New Zealand teams.
But this wasn't all serious cricket discussion.
One of the more entertaining chats came when Latham was asked who would be the worst person in the Black Caps dressing room to control the team playlist. The answer? Daryl Mitchell, whose music selections were apparently influenced a little too much by his young daughters messing with his playlist algorithm.
Latham also revealed a different side to towering fast bowler Will O'Rourke, describing how the usually expressionless speedster became visibly fired up during the England tour. According to the skipper, that's not something opposing batters should enjoy seeing.
Away from cricket, listeners also learn about Latham's childhood rugby ambitions (a former hooker who "retired" at 15), his first ever cricket bat (cut down by "Barry the Batman"), and why a player renowned for one of the finest straight drives in world cricket still can't consistently hit a golf drive down the middle. "Get me 100 metres out and I'm dynamite," he joked. "Get me off the tee and I'm a 36 handicap golfer."
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