Conway-Latham stand headlines Day 1 on a Bay Oval green-top

The Bay Oval pitch in Mount Maunganui, appearing deceptively green, prompted New Zealand captain Tom Latham to bat first after winning the toss. West Indies captain Roston Chase welcomed the decision, hoping his pace attack would quickly exploit the conditions.

While West Indies bowlers initially troubled Latham and Devon Conway, finding movement both off the pitch and in the air, the New Zealand openers weathered the storm. As the morning progressed under sunny skies, the pitch appeared less menacing, and the West Indies bowlers struggled to maintain the early pressure.

The West Indies faced a tough day, both physically and mentally. After those initial eight overs of probing bowling, their fortunes shifted dramatically as their bowlers lost their consistency. Latham and Conway seized the opportunity, building a strong partnership.

New Zealand reached 83/0 at lunch, with both batsmen reaching their half-centuries shortly after the interval. Conway reached his fifty in an over from Roach, highlighted by three boundaries. Latham followed soon after, hitting Phillip for a six over fine leg. A brief rain delay couldn't disrupt the New Zealand pair's momentum.

Resuming after the break, Latham and Conway continued to dominate. The West Indies bowlers struggled to contain them, conceding 29 overs without a single maiden in the second session. Conway reached his century, his sixth in Test cricket, by driving a full delivery off Chase. He was struck on the forearm by a Seales delivery but recovered quickly.

Roach's return to the attack after tea posed some questions for Latham, but without reward. Latham then reached his century, his 15th in Tests, with a boundary off Roach. Between overs 61 and 70, West Indies conceded a boundary in all but two. Adding to their woes, wicketkeeper Imlach dropped a chance off Latham's edge from Phillip's bowling.

The New Zealand pair brought up their 300-run partnership shortly before the new ball was due. West Indies took the new ball in the 84th over, and Roach finally broke the partnership, dismissing Latham for 137 with Chase taking a diving catch at first slip. Latham and Conway's opening stand of 323 is the joint-12th highest in Test history. Conway remained unbeaten on 178 at stumps, with a chance to convert it into a double century on the second day.