New Zealand‘s opening batters have scripted some monumental stands in the history of Test cricket, laying the foundations for historic victories and drawn battles. The latest entry came on December 18, 2025 Devon Conway and captain Tom Latham against the huge 323-run partnership smashed West India He took New Zealand to 334-1 on the first day of the third Test at Mt Maunganui. The effort not only ranks as the second-highest opening stand for the Black Caps, but also underlines the supremacy of the modern-day duo, eclipsing several iconic partnerships over 50 years.
Top 5 historical opening means New Zealand in Test
- Terry Jarvis and Glenn Turner – 387 runs against West Indies, Georgetown, 1972
It remains the gold standard for the New Zealand openers, who were forged during the fourth Test of their grueling Caribbean tour in Bourdain, Guyana. West Indies declared on 365/7 after first innings, but Jarvis (182 from 555 balls) and Turner (259 from 759 balls) overcame that total, batting for nearly nine hours, erasing the deficit in a match that ended in a draw after the fall of just ten wickets. The stand, New Zealand’s highest partnership at the time, showed unwavering patience on a worn pitch, going on to 259 as Turner held firm against a strong pace attack led by Jarvis. Andy Roberts.
- Devon Conway and Tom Latham – 323 runs against West Indies, Mount Maunganui, 2025
In a clinical display under sunny skies at Bay Oval, Conway (178*) and Latham (137) dismantled West Indies’ no-hitter attack on the opening day of the third Test. Latham fell to a silly knock just before the stumps, but the pair’s methodical build-up – mixing crisp drives and sticks – exposed the visitors’ lack of penetration and marked only their eighth 300-plus stand in Tests for New Zealand. As captain, Latham’s composure complemented Conway’s fluency, signaling New Zealand’s intent to dominate the series and cementing their status as the premier opening pair of the modern era.
- Stewie Dempster & Jackie Mills – 276 runs v England, Wellington, 1930
New Zealand’s second Test was marked on a perfect Basin Reserve day as Dempster (136) and Mills set up the then-highest opening stand globally, the third in Test history. Batting first after winning the toss, they reclaimed Kiwi cricket’s reputation against a strong MCC side, with Dempster becoming the first New Zealander to score a Test century in the process. The partnership took New Zealand to 385, although England responded strongly; it stood as the home record for 89 years until the recent attacks
- Tom Latham and Jeet Raval – 254 runs vs Bangladesh, Hamilton, 2019
During the first test at Seddon Park, Latham and Jeet Rawal Raval bowled Bangladesh over on a slow pitch before departing for 254, erasing their first-innings lead and pushing New Zealand to 333/2. Latham (264* later a personal best in the innings) dominated the lengths by pulling and driving, Rawal’s tenacity — surviving 5 runs off the first over. That stand paved the way for consecutive wins, New Zealand’s highest home opening partnership in decades, highlighting Latham’s consistency as an opener.
- Mark Richardson & Lou Vincent – 231 runs vs India, Mohali, 2003
Right on the deck at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Richardson and Vincent stopped India’s powerful attack in the second Test, punishing loose deliveries to surpass New Zealand’s previous record against India. Amidst the turning conditions, their hard hitting set a platform Ross Taylor‘s later counter attack, but the match was tied. Vincent’s aggression complemented Richardson’s tenacious defence, proving that Kiwi openers could thrive subcontinentally and remain a benchmark until Latham-Raval’s exploits.
These partnerships reflect New Zealand’s evolution from defensive survival to assertive dominance, with Conway-Latham’s new exploits breathing new life into the roster. As Test cricket adapts to the pressures of shorter formats, such stands are crucial to victory, especially with the Black Caps chasing World Test Championship glory.
