Devon Conway revealed that the New Zealand team collectively decided to bat first, despite the green pitch, with the aim

of putting up a significant score and giving their bowlers the advantage of bowling in the fourth innings. This strategy

paid off as Conway and Tom Latham forged a formidable 323-run opening partnership in the third Test against the West

Indies in Mount Maunganui.

New Zealand's decision to bat first after winning the toss raised eyebrows, marking the first time they'd done so in a

home Test since 2011. However, Conway and Latham rose to the occasion. Latham was eventually dismissed for 137 near the

end of the day's play, while Conway remained undefeated on 178, guiding New Zealand to a score of 334 for 1 at stumps.

"Once we made the decision that we were going to go with Jazzy [Ajaz Patel], we decided that we were collectively going

to have a bat first," Conway explained. He added, "Mentally, I really knew that we were going to bat. It was a

guaranteed bat day because I had a feeling that they would have seen a green wicket, and with the make-up of their

bowling attack, they probably wanted to bowl first."

Conway admitted that the initial phase of the innings was challenging. "In the first 15-20 overs, they seemed to be

bowling in really good areas and moving the ball quite a lot. I was constantly fighting myself throughout that first

hour," he said. "Funny enough, I spoke to Tom Latham at lunch and I said I almost felt like I forgot how to bat after

that first hour… Just everything felt really awkward. The trigger, it's just part of the game, batting... That happens

every now and then, but I just try to remind myself just to get through that."

The conditions improved as the day progressed, making run-scoring easier. Conway, who struck 25 fours, noted, "I think

it was a combination of two things. The ball got a little bit softer, a little bit older, and the wicket actually sped

up a little bit. It offered up some good scoring opportunities for myself and Tom."

He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive and proactive approach. "One of my things is to play with

freedom, play with a positive mindset, keep looking to score. I just try to remind myself to do that, particularly after

lunch. If they miss, I want to capitalise and put them under pressure."

Addressing concerns about his recent form, Conway, who had been dismissed for under 30 in over two-thirds of his

previous 39 innings, stated, "I just try and remind myself to just keep doing that - don't worry about the runs. Just

keep focusing on doing a job for the team and doing a role. I'm pretty happy that it turned over for me today, but I've

just got to keep focusing on being present and just, as I say, doing a role for the team."

Conway also acknowledged the often-overlooked difficulties of opening the batting, especially in challenging conditions.

"[Opening] is a very underappreciated job around the world, not just here. Yeah, it has been a tough ride. Quite often

you rock up day one of a Test match and you see it's pretty green."

He praised his partner, Latham, for his experience and success. "I think a lot of credit needs to go to a guy like Tom

Latham, who's played 90-odd Tests, and he's done so well. I think he's scored his 15th Test century, and a lot of those

centuries have been here in New Zealand."

Conway added, "I think you've just got to try and remind yourself to get yourself into a good position and look to score

because there is probably a ball with your name on it here in New Zealand. You've just got to be disciplined."

While Conway's sights are set on contributing further to the team's total, he's not getting ahead of himself, despite

being close to his highest Test score. "I think if you look too far ahead, particularly when you're batting, you can get

yourself in trouble," he cautioned. "I think it's very important for us as a batting group to keep putting [West Indies

bowlers] under pressure. Bat for a long period of time because that wicket is going to get flatter, and it will give our

spinners an opportunity to do a role later in the Test."

Looking ahead to the next day, Conway's strategy remains straightforward: "I just want to go out there, stay in the

process ball by ball and just keep doing my thing - building partnership with others at the other end."