new zealandIndia’s opening batsmen have made some memorable stands in the history of Test cricket, laying the foundation for historic victories and drawn battles. The latest entry appeared on December 18, 2025, when devon conway and captain Tom Latham Made a huge partnership of 323 runs against west indies New Zealand reached 334-1 on the first day of the third Test at Mount Maunganui. The effort not only marks the second-highest opening stand for the Black Caps, but also underlines the dominance of the modern pair, surpassing many iconic partnerships dating back more than 50 years.
Top 5 historic opening stands for New Zealand in Tests
- Terry Jarvis and Glenn Turner – 387 runs vs West Indies, Georgetown, 1972
This remains the gold standard for New Zealand opening batsmen, having made it during the fourth Test of the Caribbean tour in Bourda, Guyana. West Indies declared the innings at 365/7 after batting first, but Jarvis (182 off 555 balls) and Turner (259 off 759 balls) batted for almost nine hours to surpass that score, overcoming the deficit in the match, which ended in a draw after the fall of just ten wickets in five days. The stand, New Zealand’s highest partnership at the time, displayed remarkable composure on a poor pitch, with Turner scoring 259 while Jarvis held firm against a powerful pace attack. andy roberts.
- Devon Conway and Tom Latham – 323 runs vs West Indies, Mount Maunganui, 2025
In a clinical performance under the sunny skies of Bay Oval, Conway (178*) and Latham (137) demolished the West Indies bowling attack on the opening day of the third Test. Latham fell to a sharp shot just before stumps, but the pair’s methodical accumulation – a mix of crisp drives and nurdles – exposed the visitors’ lack of penetration, resulting in only the eighth 300-plus score for New Zealand in Tests. As captain, Latham’s composure complemented Conway’s fluency, signaling New Zealand’s intent to dominate the series and cementing their position as the premier opening pair of the modern era.
- Stevie Dempster and Jackie Mills – 276 runs vs England, Wellington, 1930
New Zealand’s second Test produced a milestone on a perfect Basin Reserve day, as Dempster (136) and Mills produced the then highest opening stand at world level, the third overall in Test history. Winning the toss and batting first, he maintained the prestige of Kiwi cricket against a strong MCC team, in the process Dempster became the first New Zealander to score a Test century. This partnership saw New Zealand all out for 385 runs, although England responded strongly; It stood as the domestic 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 Bangladesh were forced into submission on a slow pitch, erasing their first innings lead and pushing New Zealand to 333/2 before Raval was out for 254. Latham (264* in his innings later set a personal best) dominated the lengths with pulls and drives, while Raval’s flexibility – saving 75 balls for his first run – frustrated the spinners. The stand, New Zealand’s highest opening partnership on home soil for decades, paved the way for a series-clinching victory, highlighting Latham’s consistency as an opener.
- Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent – 231 runs vs India, Mohali, 2003
On the flat deck of the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Richardson and Vincent blunted India’s spin-heavy attack in the second Test, and punished loose balls to surpass New Zealand’s previous record against India. His serious strokeplay amid changing conditions set a platform Ross TaylorThere was a subsequent counterattack, although the match was drawn. Vincent’s aggression complemented Richardson’s strong defence, proving that the Kiwi opener could thrive in the subcontinent and remain as a benchmark until Latham-Rawal’s exploits.
These partnerships reflect New Zealand’s evolution from defensive survival to assertive dominance, with Conway-Latham’s latest exploits breathing new life into the list. As Test cricket continues to adapt to the pressures of shorter formats, such stands remain vital to setting up wins, especially when the Black Caps are chasing World Test Championship glory.