Cricket: Latham looks to secure Black Caps berth

Tom Latham of New Zealand bats during game two of the One Day International series between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at Cobham Oval. Photo / Getty Images.

These are upbeat days for New Zealand cricket.

Trace that vibe back to the Hobart test win over Australia in December, but it's carried through with a series of convincing wins over a weak Zimbabwe side.

With the anticipation of a robust challenge to come from South Africa in the next seven weeks, there is a sense of anticipation about John Wright's side.

It's not a bad time to make your play to become a regular fixture in the setup, so step forward Canterbury lefthander Tom Latham.

Latham, 19, has had two ODI innings against Zimbabwe, hitting 24 on debut in Dunedin last week and a bracing 48 off only 28 deliveries in the 141-run win at Whangarei on Monday.

Already there are encouraging signs. He looks the part and while far harder tests are around the corner, Zimbabwe has offered the son of former international Rod Latham the chance to get his feet under the table without undue discomfort.

"I've really enjoyed the last week and a bit. It's nice to be in that sort of environment," former New Zealand Youth international Latham said.

He hasn't tried to do anything differently now that he's stepped up from the domestic to international stage. The mindset remains the same.

"I'm not trying to change anything, just keep to what I've been doing over the Ford Trophy for Canterbury," he said, where he scored 332 runs at 55.33 in six innings. "I'm keeping doing what I've done to get me here, just try and stick to my plans and go from there."

Latham drives fluently and has shots all round the wicket. In addition, he's got some inventive touches, as he showed at Cobham Oval.

With centurymaker Rob Nicol, he shared a thunderous 92-run stand for the fifth wicket in only 47 balls.

Batting with a fellow "Cantab" helped. It was "nice to have him out there to talk me through it", Latham said.

On the topic of invention at the crease, Latham has been working with Canterbury coach Bob Carter on some ideas outside the traditional batting square.

"It's trying to pick where the bowler is bowling the ball and what the best option is." As he put it, it is simply about "adding other shots to my armoury".

His thoughts are squarely on the final ODI against Zimbabwe. Latham is not in the T20 squad for the last two games of this tour, at Eden Park on Sunday and Hamilton two days later - but South Africa is buzzing at the back of his mind.

Captain Ross Taylor is likely to return; possibly Jesse Ryder too, so competition will be hot.

"If I get picked for the South African series I'm sure that the intensity will go up another couple of levels."

Count on that, and although it's seriously early days, Latham has a touch of quality about him which makes his progress among the talking points of the summer.