New Zealand can still defend the Test World Cup: Tom Latham after home defeat against South Africa

Sport

New Zealand reserve skipper Tom Latham is confident his team will be able to reach the second final of the World Test Championship in 2021 despite a disastrous start in defending their title.

New Zealand languishes in sixth place in the WTC table after losing an away series to India and drawing South Africa and Bangladesh 1-1 in the home series. Latham said his team believe they could still reach next year’s WTC final and would try to sweep England in the three Test series from June.

“Obviously our goal is to win every Test game you play, especially at home,” he told reporters after the 198 loss to the Proteas at Hagley Oval.

“When we come to England in a few months it’s obviously important for us to focus on that and do our best to win this series there and get as many points as possible.”

After conceding their second-worst Test loss in their first meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand missed a golden opportunity to win their first Test series against the South Africans and end a winning streak dating back to 1931/32.

The Black Caps hope starting captain Kane Williamson, their top hitter, can make a full recovery from the elbow injury that has plagued him for over a year.

Latham, whose opening combination with Will Young totaled four runs in the second Test, said his side’s failure to develop partnerships was a major factor in the loss. South Africa won the second and final Test against New Zealand by 198 runs in Christchurch on Tuesday to draw the series 1-1.

However, he declined to blame his batsmen for poor shot selection on day five after wicketkeeper Tom Blundell and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme were out hitting up-drawn pull-shots against outfielders, shattering their hopes of saving the match. effectively ended.

“Guys have their own way of doing things,” Latham said.

“I think it’s a good balance to be able to put a little pressure on them to get outfield players out of the spots they want.

“Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite so well for us.”

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