Tom Latham breaks the Netherlands, becomes first captain in ODI history to score a century on his birthday

Tom Latham, New Zealand’s ODI captain, became the first captain and the fifth batsman in the history of ODI to score a century on his birthday. He achieved this feat by scoring 140 runs against the Netherlands on Saturday, April 2 in Hamilton.

Cricketers who scored on birthday are:

Tom Latham- 140* vs Netherlands, 30 years old
Sachin Tendulkar– 134 vs Australia, 25 years old
Ross Taylor- 131* vs Pakistan, 27 years old
Sanath Jayasuriya- 130 vs Bangladesh, 39 years old
Vinod Kambli- 100* vs England 21 years old

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Tom Latham, the rescuer, helped the Kiwi gain 50 points

Tom Latham, the birthday boy entering his 30, rescued New Zealand from a perilous position of 32-5. Latham then took charge and played a knock of 140 off 123 deliveries and helped the hosts post 264/9. With 10 fours and five sixes, this knock is his career best ODI score. Netherlands won the toss and opted to bat first. Latham entered when the scoreboard read 30/3.

In response, the Dutch were 4/2 in two overs. Kiwi bowlers Doug Bracewell and Kyle Jamieson sent back the openers. Vikramjit (31) Singh and Bas de Leede (37) put on a 77-run partnership for the third wicket. But once they got out, it was an easier task for the Kiwi players to restrict the Dutch at 146 in 34.1 overs.

Latham became the Player of the Match as New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in three-match ODI series. Netherlands will look towards gaining some valuable points, while New Zealand’s goal will be a clean sweep in the third match which will be played in Hamilton on Monday.

With this victory, New Zealand jumped to the eight places from 11th in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League table. New Zealand leapfrogged Pakistan with 50 points. Meanwhile, Netherlands, with 25 points from 9 games, remain at the bottom in a 13-team points table.

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