Tom Latham to work on his wicketkeeping skills ahead of India tour

New Zealand opener Tom Latham will undertake a specialist wicketkeeping training ahead of their limited overs tour to India. The vacancy behind the stumps is yet to be filled which was created due to the retirement of Luke Ronchi following the conclusion of Champions Trophy in June this year. Latham has also pulled out of his deal with Durham at the final moment to prepare for India trip.

The left-hander had his runs dried up when he last took the gloves in hand during the last home season of the Black Caps. He made scores of 7, 0, 0, 2 and 0 while keeping – and he was dropped during the series against South Africa. However, he regained his form after relieving himself from the added responsibility with the scores of 54, 104 and 84 during the tri-series in Ireland. But he remained on the sidelines for Champions Trophy as the team management preferred Ronchi at the top with an aim to balance their side.

Squad for India to tour to be named shortly

New Zealand is scheduled to tour India in October for a limited-overs tour in which they will play 3 ODIs and as many T20 Internationals. There is also a possibility that a few names will be added after the New Zealand A tour of India which has just started. Currently, a wicketkeeping trial is going on in the touring ‘A’ squad as three glovemen Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips and uncapped Tim Seifert. While Blundell and Phillips have had a brief taste of the international arena when they were part of the T20 side of the Kiwis, Seifert is yet to play any such cricket.

It is being reported that Blundell or Phillips are favoured to get the job for the T20Is in India. New Zealand then have at least 10 T20Is during their season, with three-match series against West Indies and Pakistan plus the tri-series involving Australia and England. Blundell is looking forward to his upcoming stint with the national side. “I’ll let my performance do the talking and if I’m good enough, I’m good enough. I get on pretty well with them both. They’re both really good blokes so if one of them gets the nod, I’ll be happy for them,” he said to Stuff.co.nz.

Tom Latham doesn’t seem to be in the mix in the shortest format as he last played the format for Kiwis in 2015. But he certainly remains a key option in the 50-overs format and should be looking forward to playing the ODIs in India.