Cricket: Latham on verge of history

If Tom Latham makes 13 more runs he'll be the second youngest New Zealander to make 150. Photo / Getty Images

If opener Tom Latham cements himself at the crease again this evening, he stands to become the youngest New Zealander to make a test double century.

Latham is 22 years and 230 days today. He went to stumps on 137 not out, the catalyst in guiding New Zealand to 243 for three against Pakistan on the opening day of the second test in Dubai.

Mathew Sinclair holds the record at 24 years and 48 days when he became the first New Zealander to make a double century on debut against the West Indies in 1999 during the Boxing Day test. Coincidentally he's also the answer to the trivia question: 'who held the world's highest test average at the turn of the century?'

If Latham makes 13 more runs he'll be the second youngest New Zealander to make 150 behind Martin Crowe. Crowe was 22 years and 200 days when he scored 188 against the West Indies in 1985 on the fourth day at Guyana.

Internal praise was lavished on Latham for his feat.

Second straight ton for Latham

Batting coach Craig McMillan said it was the opener's trust in his defence that paid the most dividends, particularly against spin.

"He played straight and when a bowler missed [his target], Tom scored. He also showed skill to get down the other end. You don't want to get stuck for a couple of overs because it gives the bowler more opportunity to work on a plan to get you out. That's where Tom excelled by rotating the strike and picking up singles before putting bad balls away.

"As a batsman once you've hit your first test hundred it feels like you belong, so to back up with this is a key for him. He's shown the ability to bat long periods."

Kane Williamson joined Latham on their way to a second wicket partnership of 76, which had parity to 77 for the opening stand and 73 for the third wicket.

A DAY AT THE TEST: DAY ONE

"I think these conditions were tougher [than Abu Dhabi]," Williamson said. "I certainly found it tricky, so to play the way Tom did is huge for our team.

"Obviously it's a good batting track but the temperament he showed out of all the batsmen was fantastic. To bat a day and score as freely as he did wasn't easy with a slowish surface and outfield."

Recalled Pakistan opener Shan Masood also acknowledged the magnitude of the achievement.

"You have to give credit to the New Zealand batsmen in alien conditions. It's never easy, and they've posted a decent total, but we haven't let them get away. If they'd been on 300-plus for three we'd have been a bit worried."

ANDREW ALDERSON TRAVELLED TO THE UAE COURTESY OF EMIRATES