The good news is Latham measured up impressively, with scores of 83, 73, 82 and 36 in the first two tests before stumbling in the deciding third match.
It was a different story at the other end.
Fulton and Rutherford opened through the first 13 tests of Rutherford's career, dating back to March last year against England. Now it's become a battle for both and time seems to be up, for 35-year-old Fulton probably for good; for 25-year-old Rutherford for now.
When New Zealand A tour England shortly, Rutherford has a chance, if he makes a bucket of runs, to be retained. The selectors have put plenty of time into him and may be reluctant to return him from whence they found him.
There are options around the country and if players are scoring heavily, which is what the selectors want, and then hear that it's of limited value given the disparity between domestic and international bowling attacks, it doesn't make much sense.
Certainly numbers alone should not be the determining factor, otherwise why have selectors.
One of them, Bruce Edgar, was an obdurate lefthand opener from 1978 to 1986, over 39 tests, averaging 30. He must have an eye on the options and know what he's looking for.
The idea that every opener should follow the Virendar Sehwag or David Warner method is tosh.
The Indian had a wonderful eye, struck the ball cleanly and hard but had his own distinctive way of doing things. Just as pugnacious Australian Warner is a bumptious character who likes to keep the game moving along.
It is a specialist role, which is why suggestions of bumping someone like Jimmy Neesham or Corey Anderson up the order, or, heaven forbid, ease Kane Williamson up a spot, are daft.
Openers need to have a clear head, strong concentration and, in cricket parlance, know where their off stump is. That is, be happy to leave balls alone outside off, wait for the bowler to come to him.
Looking around the globe, Graeme Smith has gone from South Africa; Alastair Cook is in a trough with England. None of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India have openers of the highest calibre; Chris Gayle is hit or miss for the West Indies. So New Zealand are not alone in their dilemma.
New Zealand's Caribbean trip rounds up this weekend with two T20s in Dominica.
No other players have been added to the test squad, the reasoning being it's pointless flying two or three players that distance for a maximum of 80 overs of cricket.
Chris Gayle is out of the West Indies squad, being rested the official information said. Talented allrounder Dwayne Bravo is still recovering from an injury.
Six likely options
Martin Guptill (Auckland)
Probably first cab off the rank. He's a regular in the short form team where he's been a strong performer, but lost his way in the test side in England last year. His test average is 29.62 in 31 tests. Seems too talented to remain on the test outer.
Michael Papps (Wellington)
The public favourite. Played the last of his eight tests in 2007. Averages 16.4, with nine single figures scores in 16 innings. But take a look at his domestic record -- 841 runs at 64.6 last season; 810 at 45 the previous summer. He can do no more. Hints that fitness may be an issue.
Aaron Redmond (Otago)
Still in the selectors' thinking, as evidenced by his callup to replace an injured Kane Williamson in Dunedin late last year, five years after his previous appearance. Averages 21.66 from 8 tests. Must be chance.
Jeet Raval (Auckland)
Talented lefthander who hasn't quite moved his game up to the next level. Hit 256 against CD in his debut 2008-09 season, batting almost seven hours. That's the right stuff. Averages 39.22 in 47 first-class games. At 26 he should be coming into his batting prime.
Michael Bracewell (Otago)
Strictly speaking a No3 for his province, but looks a good prospect. Averages 40.66 with five hundreds in 31 games, four last season. His 845 runs last summer were second only to Tom Latham in the Plunket Shield. He's going on the NZ A tour to England shortly. Big future.
Dean Brownlie (ND)
The wildcard. Has switched from Canterbury in a bid to re-invent himself into an opener, which shows ambition. Averages 29.6 in 14 tests. Like Guptill, played his last test in England mid-last year. Century against Steyn, Philander and Morkel at Cape Town suggests he has something, but a tendency to get out softly didn't help. Going on the A tour.
