1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalk z B. 3 00:00:12,787 --> 00:00:15,467 Speaker 2: The Black Cabs have a new Test cricket captain getting 4 00:00:15,467 --> 00:00:17,787 Speaker 2: away towards the boundary. It may go for four to 5 00:00:17,827 --> 00:00:20,947 Speaker 2: the Test century, one hundred of one hundred and sixty 6 00:00:20,987 --> 00:00:23,987 Speaker 2: seventies to lighted soles. The New Zealand players in the 7 00:00:24,027 --> 00:00:26,867 Speaker 2: dressing room. Tom Latham was one hundred, having skippered New 8 00:00:26,947 --> 00:00:30,747 Speaker 2: Zealand and nine previous Test matches. Tom Latham will assume 9 00:00:30,787 --> 00:00:33,947 Speaker 2: the role full time, starting with the upcoming three Test 10 00:00:34,027 --> 00:00:37,227 Speaker 2: tour of India and then the three match home series 11 00:00:37,267 --> 00:00:41,267 Speaker 2: against England which follows. Tom Latham is with us. Congratulations 12 00:00:41,307 --> 00:00:44,787 Speaker 2: on the appointment. Tom. How did the captaincy change play out? 13 00:00:45,867 --> 00:00:48,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you very much. It's an on iron and 14 00:00:48,947 --> 00:00:52,707 Speaker 3: a privilege, I guess to be given the opportunity to 15 00:00:53,027 --> 00:00:55,507 Speaker 3: lead the tenancy stead of obviously done in the past 16 00:00:55,507 --> 00:01:00,187 Speaker 3: four and I guess after each tour series, you know, 17 00:01:00,267 --> 00:01:03,627 Speaker 3: things are evaluated with with where things are at, and 18 00:01:03,667 --> 00:01:08,187 Speaker 3: obviously the decision came to me decided to step away 19 00:01:08,187 --> 00:01:11,227 Speaker 3: from the role and yeah, it's obviously nice to be 20 00:01:11,267 --> 00:01:13,147 Speaker 3: asked to do it and looking certainly looking forward to 21 00:01:13,187 --> 00:01:13,867 Speaker 3: the opportunity. 22 00:01:14,027 --> 00:01:15,907 Speaker 2: Did you know a change was in the wind? 23 00:01:17,267 --> 00:01:19,867 Speaker 3: No, No, I didn't know. I guess, as I said, 24 00:01:19,867 --> 00:01:23,027 Speaker 3: it's one of those things that after each series, in 25 00:01:23,107 --> 00:01:27,067 Speaker 3: each tour, you know, steady and to evaluate things and 26 00:01:27,267 --> 00:01:29,507 Speaker 3: where things are at and all that sort of thing. 27 00:01:29,507 --> 00:01:32,467 Speaker 3: And obviously the decision was made and you know in 28 00:01:32,507 --> 00:01:35,547 Speaker 3: the position we are now, So yeah, obviously came as 29 00:01:35,587 --> 00:01:38,907 Speaker 3: a little bit of a surprise, but obviously one obviously 30 00:01:38,907 --> 00:01:41,627 Speaker 3: looking forward to you you have all the different emotions 31 00:01:41,627 --> 00:01:43,947 Speaker 3: when when I guess, when you get a pointed with 32 00:01:44,067 --> 00:01:46,267 Speaker 3: something like that and you're certainly looking forward to to 33 00:01:46,307 --> 00:01:47,507 Speaker 3: what's coming up ahead. 34 00:01:47,467 --> 00:01:48,827 Speaker 2: Is there something you've aspired to? 35 00:01:52,027 --> 00:01:54,667 Speaker 3: As you said, I've done done nine test matches in 36 00:01:54,667 --> 00:01:58,907 Speaker 3: the past and done you know, various one days and 37 00:01:58,947 --> 00:02:01,667 Speaker 3: ten twenties along the road, and I guess from my 38 00:02:01,707 --> 00:02:05,147 Speaker 3: point of view, it's always been a selling type type role. 39 00:02:05,187 --> 00:02:07,187 Speaker 3: So this, I guess, this opportune it is a slightly 40 00:02:07,187 --> 00:02:10,147 Speaker 3: different than what have been used to. And I think 41 00:02:10,187 --> 00:02:11,947 Speaker 3: to Matt, it's about trying to push the team forward 42 00:02:11,987 --> 00:02:15,307 Speaker 3: it as much as I can. And yeah, certainly I 43 00:02:15,347 --> 00:02:17,187 Speaker 3: think once you do it, once you get a little 44 00:02:17,187 --> 00:02:20,027 Speaker 3: bit of a bug for it. I think Matt's has 45 00:02:20,187 --> 00:02:22,107 Speaker 3: always been about trying to push the team forward and 46 00:02:23,267 --> 00:02:24,867 Speaker 3: to port whoever's doing it at the time. You know 47 00:02:24,867 --> 00:02:27,707 Speaker 3: where it became or where it be Tim, So yeah, 48 00:02:27,707 --> 00:02:29,667 Speaker 3: it's obviously nice to be in this position. 49 00:02:29,707 --> 00:02:32,347 Speaker 2: Now. Did you want the job when came Williamson stepped 50 00:02:32,347 --> 00:02:33,427 Speaker 2: down in twenty twenty two. 51 00:02:35,467 --> 00:02:39,467 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was again a different situation and I'd decided 52 00:02:39,507 --> 00:02:42,627 Speaker 3: to go with Timmy. But in all honesty it's probably 53 00:02:42,627 --> 00:02:46,147 Speaker 3: worked out well in terms of the situation we're in there, 54 00:02:46,187 --> 00:02:48,147 Speaker 3: and I guess to mat it's just about trying to 55 00:02:48,147 --> 00:02:52,707 Speaker 3: support again whoever whoever was the captain, and certainly gave 56 00:02:52,747 --> 00:02:54,947 Speaker 3: my full support to me, you know, for the last 57 00:02:55,107 --> 00:02:58,427 Speaker 3: for the last two years. So yeah, again it was 58 00:02:58,427 --> 00:03:00,667 Speaker 3: wasn't I was a little bit surprised at the time, 59 00:03:00,707 --> 00:03:02,987 Speaker 3: but I can certainly see the reasons why they went 60 00:03:03,147 --> 00:03:03,387 Speaker 3: for me. 61 00:03:03,787 --> 00:03:06,147 Speaker 2: And obviously Tim has been a part of this black 62 00:03:06,147 --> 00:03:07,947 Speaker 2: Cat set up for a long time, as have you, 63 00:03:08,107 --> 00:03:11,747 Speaker 2: and he will continue to be, I'm sure in test cricket. 64 00:03:12,307 --> 00:03:15,587 Speaker 2: Do you perceive any potential awkwardness around the change of 65 00:03:15,587 --> 00:03:17,747 Speaker 2: captaincy be thought about how that might be negotiated. 66 00:03:18,747 --> 00:03:22,867 Speaker 3: Absolutely, no awkwardness at all. Have been in touch with 67 00:03:22,907 --> 00:03:26,867 Speaker 3: Timmy throughout the last few days and I just sort 68 00:03:26,867 --> 00:03:29,587 Speaker 3: of want to congratulate and him on the role that 69 00:03:29,867 --> 00:03:32,267 Speaker 3: he's done over the last two years. I think he's 70 00:03:32,427 --> 00:03:35,027 Speaker 3: a valued member of our team, a senior guy and 71 00:03:35,107 --> 00:03:38,947 Speaker 3: someone that has immense amount of experience. And I've certainly 72 00:03:38,987 --> 00:03:40,707 Speaker 3: enjoyed playing groom and I know a lot of the 73 00:03:40,747 --> 00:03:44,347 Speaker 3: guys have as well. But there'll certainly be no awkinness 74 00:03:44,347 --> 00:03:46,747 Speaker 3: there at all. I know he's willing to help me 75 00:03:46,787 --> 00:03:50,147 Speaker 3: and I'll certainly be leaning on him at times for 76 00:03:50,187 --> 00:03:51,667 Speaker 3: his experience in situations too. 77 00:03:52,227 --> 00:03:54,667 Speaker 2: So, as we've both mentioned, you've done the job prevacy, 78 00:03:54,747 --> 00:03:58,187 Speaker 2: but now it's your gig full time. How will that 79 00:03:58,267 --> 00:04:01,147 Speaker 2: change your approach to captaining the Test side? 80 00:04:02,427 --> 00:04:05,067 Speaker 3: Not sure at the stage, and I guess I guess 81 00:04:05,107 --> 00:04:07,307 Speaker 3: you always look at ways you want to you want 82 00:04:07,307 --> 00:04:09,787 Speaker 3: to push the team forward, whether it's you know you're 83 00:04:09,907 --> 00:04:13,187 Speaker 3: captain or not captain. But now being in the situation, 84 00:04:13,587 --> 00:04:16,107 Speaker 3: you have a little bit I guess more control. But 85 00:04:16,307 --> 00:04:18,787 Speaker 3: I think to me it's about trying to empower guys 86 00:04:18,827 --> 00:04:21,867 Speaker 3: to do to do their roles as best stand and 87 00:04:22,347 --> 00:04:25,147 Speaker 3: let them go that with freedom and play their roles 88 00:04:25,147 --> 00:04:26,867 Speaker 3: as best they can, because I think when guys do that, 89 00:04:26,907 --> 00:04:29,667 Speaker 3: they play with freedom without fear. You know, results tend 90 00:04:29,667 --> 00:04:33,187 Speaker 3: to or I guess you play in a way that 91 00:04:33,227 --> 00:04:35,467 Speaker 3: you want to and results sort of take care of 92 00:04:35,547 --> 00:04:38,067 Speaker 3: himself along the road. But yeah, I think to my 93 00:04:38,147 --> 00:04:41,107 Speaker 3: point of view, I'm importing it and stuck in against in there. 94 00:04:41,187 --> 00:04:44,147 Speaker 3: And again, it's not a massive change. I've done it 95 00:04:44,187 --> 00:04:47,107 Speaker 3: before and guys know sort of hero itic, so they 96 00:04:47,107 --> 00:04:48,427 Speaker 3: will hopefully hit the ground running. 97 00:04:48,547 --> 00:04:51,427 Speaker 2: So you don't feel any need to stamp your mark 98 00:04:51,507 --> 00:04:54,667 Speaker 2: on this team to you know, to immediately be a 99 00:04:54,667 --> 00:04:57,067 Speaker 2: certain type of captain of the site. 100 00:04:58,107 --> 00:05:01,067 Speaker 3: I wouldn't say straight away. I certainly don't want to 101 00:05:01,067 --> 00:05:03,707 Speaker 3: come in and start changing things left, right and center. 102 00:05:03,747 --> 00:05:06,787 Speaker 3: And you know, we're a Test We do a lot 103 00:05:06,827 --> 00:05:09,747 Speaker 3: of good things. I'm sure there'll be things that that 104 00:05:09,827 --> 00:05:11,987 Speaker 3: we want to improve, like I guess any team does 105 00:05:12,587 --> 00:05:17,027 Speaker 3: throughout the road. But yeah, I guess we'll evaluate that 106 00:05:17,107 --> 00:05:19,067 Speaker 3: and hopefully adapt as quick as we can on the road, 107 00:05:19,067 --> 00:05:23,747 Speaker 3: and if need be, we'll obviously make those changes and 108 00:05:23,947 --> 00:05:25,187 Speaker 3: if any changes at all. 109 00:05:25,667 --> 00:05:29,147 Speaker 2: How important a part of Test captaincy is team selection, 110 00:05:30,587 --> 00:05:31,547 Speaker 2: and yeah. 111 00:05:31,347 --> 00:05:36,227 Speaker 3: Obviously in all formats. It's it's important thing if you 112 00:05:36,307 --> 00:05:39,187 Speaker 3: look as a whole our test sides being reasonably settled 113 00:05:39,227 --> 00:05:42,827 Speaker 3: over a long period of time. I think the consistency 114 00:05:42,867 --> 00:05:46,187 Speaker 3: of selection is has certainly helped the team and in 115 00:05:46,267 --> 00:05:47,827 Speaker 3: terms of where we've got to where we've got to 116 00:05:47,827 --> 00:05:51,627 Speaker 3: in the past, not just over recent times, but you 117 00:05:51,667 --> 00:05:54,547 Speaker 3: know times we have been really successful. And I think 118 00:05:54,547 --> 00:05:59,787 Speaker 3: that consistency is important to give guys opportunities to perform 119 00:05:59,827 --> 00:06:02,387 Speaker 3: their role as best they can. And we certainly know 120 00:06:02,427 --> 00:06:05,187 Speaker 3: how fickle cricket can be. We've obviously placed in some 121 00:06:05,227 --> 00:06:09,467 Speaker 3: tough conditions at home but but also away. So I 122 00:06:09,507 --> 00:06:12,787 Speaker 3: think for me it's probably more the consistency pieces being 123 00:06:12,827 --> 00:06:16,107 Speaker 3: sure you give you guys opportunities to to do the 124 00:06:16,147 --> 00:06:17,387 Speaker 3: roles that they've been selected for. 125 00:06:17,947 --> 00:06:20,867 Speaker 2: In the recent Trilncan series it was it was two 126 00:06:20,947 --> 00:06:24,627 Speaker 2: seemers too special as seemas picked for both test matches. 127 00:06:25,027 --> 00:06:27,067 Speaker 2: Do you feel like that's likely to be the case 128 00:06:27,067 --> 00:06:27,987 Speaker 2: in India as well. 129 00:06:29,667 --> 00:06:32,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, obviously have to wait to we get over there, 130 00:06:32,027 --> 00:06:35,227 Speaker 3: but I think if you look over a recent series, 131 00:06:35,667 --> 00:06:37,827 Speaker 3: you know it tends to sort of be that makeup 132 00:06:37,867 --> 00:06:41,107 Speaker 3: in terms of you know, seamers versus spinners. I think 133 00:06:41,107 --> 00:06:43,787 Speaker 3: we're lucky we've got you know, plenty of all rounders 134 00:06:44,067 --> 00:06:47,667 Speaker 3: in that top six, which certainly makes your resource a 135 00:06:47,707 --> 00:06:50,027 Speaker 3: little bit better in terms of having a few more 136 00:06:50,027 --> 00:06:54,787 Speaker 3: different options. So yeah, I think obviously hard to not 137 00:06:55,307 --> 00:07:00,507 Speaker 3: to say from from here, I'd say potentially that you know, 138 00:07:00,547 --> 00:07:04,067 Speaker 3: the two seamers is obviously a high chance of that 139 00:07:04,107 --> 00:07:06,027 Speaker 3: depending on what we what we get in terms of 140 00:07:06,067 --> 00:07:07,427 Speaker 3: pitch in. 141 00:07:07,387 --> 00:07:11,867 Speaker 2: India arguably a bigger challenge even than Sri Lanka. Do 142 00:07:11,907 --> 00:07:14,227 Speaker 2: you feel there's any need to rebuild confidence in the 143 00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:16,827 Speaker 2: team after the series defeat in Sri Lanka. 144 00:07:18,227 --> 00:07:20,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, obviously the results didn't quite go our way. I 145 00:07:20,587 --> 00:07:22,747 Speaker 3: think if you look at that first Test, we were 146 00:07:23,427 --> 00:07:25,147 Speaker 3: we were pretty close. I think there was only sixty 147 00:07:25,187 --> 00:07:27,987 Speaker 3: runs that we lost by so in test cricket, that's 148 00:07:28,347 --> 00:07:31,707 Speaker 3: a reasonably sport small Margdin and we did play some 149 00:07:31,707 --> 00:07:35,187 Speaker 3: good cricket throughout that game and obviously take away the 150 00:07:35,347 --> 00:07:37,987 Speaker 3: first innings with the bat. In the second Test, I 151 00:07:37,987 --> 00:07:40,867 Speaker 3: actually thought we played reasonably well in that second To 152 00:07:40,867 --> 00:07:44,107 Speaker 3: get over through fifty and a third fourth innings is 153 00:07:44,627 --> 00:07:47,267 Speaker 3: as obviously a decent effort as well. So yeah, obviously 154 00:07:47,267 --> 00:07:50,467 Speaker 3: a different challenge, a big challenge which I'm sure every 155 00:07:50,587 --> 00:07:54,187 Speaker 3: we're looking forward to. No better time to test yourself against, 156 00:07:54,347 --> 00:07:56,587 Speaker 3: you know that, the best team in their own conditions 157 00:07:57,107 --> 00:08:01,307 Speaker 3: in India and through pretty iconic venues. So I'm sure 158 00:08:01,307 --> 00:08:04,227 Speaker 3: the guys will be resting up this week and hopefully 159 00:08:04,427 --> 00:08:06,187 Speaker 3: looking forward again into things next week. 160 00:08:06,507 --> 00:08:08,787 Speaker 2: When you find yourself in a situation like the second 161 00:08:08,827 --> 00:08:11,267 Speaker 2: Test when Sri Lanka were batting, you know, the piling 162 00:08:11,307 --> 00:08:14,187 Speaker 2: on runs, breakthroughs are hard to come by. What is 163 00:08:14,227 --> 00:08:17,027 Speaker 2: the best strategy as as a captain in that situation? 164 00:08:17,987 --> 00:08:20,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, it certainly hard. I think you go through many 165 00:08:20,627 --> 00:08:23,507 Speaker 3: different ideas and everything you throw it and then they 166 00:08:23,507 --> 00:08:25,987 Speaker 3: sort of tend to come up with the answers. So, 167 00:08:26,627 --> 00:08:28,467 Speaker 3: you know, it is really hard in that situation in 168 00:08:28,547 --> 00:08:32,387 Speaker 3: terms of you know, what you do and we haven't 169 00:08:32,387 --> 00:08:35,227 Speaker 3: been in that situation a lot before and cret it 170 00:08:35,267 --> 00:08:38,347 Speaker 3: to the way that sure to play. These played outstandingly well, 171 00:08:38,387 --> 00:08:41,947 Speaker 3: and yeah, that's sort of hard to know. I guess 172 00:08:41,987 --> 00:08:45,987 Speaker 3: you lean on those experiences that you've had before, and 173 00:08:46,267 --> 00:08:47,667 Speaker 3: I guess you're just trying to do anything to get 174 00:08:47,667 --> 00:08:49,507 Speaker 3: to work at You're trying to you know, go through 175 00:08:49,547 --> 00:08:53,107 Speaker 3: different options, different change bowls at different ends and different 176 00:08:53,107 --> 00:08:57,427 Speaker 3: field placings. You're just trying to just do something to 177 00:08:58,587 --> 00:09:00,147 Speaker 3: break the partnership because you know if you do that 178 00:09:00,267 --> 00:09:02,427 Speaker 3: then things tend to happen quite quickly. In those parts 179 00:09:02,427 --> 00:09:03,707 Speaker 3: of the world where you can get one, you can 180 00:09:03,747 --> 00:09:05,907 Speaker 3: get a couple quickly. So and I hope you we're 181 00:09:05,907 --> 00:09:06,307 Speaker 3: not in that such. 182 00:09:07,587 --> 00:09:10,187 Speaker 2: Yeah, And with the bat, you're one of our best 183 00:09:10,267 --> 00:09:13,547 Speaker 2: players off spin bowling and it's likely obviously that you're 184 00:09:13,547 --> 00:09:14,707 Speaker 2: going to have to face quite a bit of it 185 00:09:14,707 --> 00:09:17,147 Speaker 2: in India as you did in Sri Lanka. What are 186 00:09:17,147 --> 00:09:22,267 Speaker 2: the real keys to playing spin well, particularly in the subcontinent. 187 00:09:24,507 --> 00:09:27,427 Speaker 3: That's having your plan and trying to stick to it 188 00:09:27,467 --> 00:09:29,907 Speaker 3: for long periods. I think we're seeing, you know, different 189 00:09:29,907 --> 00:09:34,187 Speaker 3: teams in recent times turn there do it differently. Likes England, 190 00:09:34,227 --> 00:09:36,627 Speaker 3: they tend to be a little bit more aggressive, whereas 191 00:09:37,187 --> 00:09:39,907 Speaker 3: you know, we've obviously have players that like to bat 192 00:09:39,947 --> 00:09:43,187 Speaker 3: long periods of time and and try weir teams down. 193 00:09:43,267 --> 00:09:44,987 Speaker 3: And I think it's been able to stick to a 194 00:09:45,027 --> 00:09:48,227 Speaker 3: plan as best you can. I think from a spin 195 00:09:48,267 --> 00:09:50,067 Speaker 3: point of view, sometimes it's not the ball that actually 196 00:09:50,107 --> 00:09:52,227 Speaker 3: turns it that gets all the wickets, it's the it's 197 00:09:52,227 --> 00:09:55,587 Speaker 3: the one that slides on tend tends to be the 198 00:09:55,707 --> 00:09:58,787 Speaker 3: danger ble. But obviously they've got some quality spinners, but 199 00:09:58,827 --> 00:10:02,187 Speaker 3: they've also got some anta pass bowlers as well. So yeah, 200 00:10:02,227 --> 00:10:04,547 Speaker 3: we're certainly going to be tested, that's for sure. But 201 00:10:04,587 --> 00:10:05,947 Speaker 3: I know they're guys to be looking forward to it. 202 00:10:06,507 --> 00:10:08,467 Speaker 2: And I don't know whether this is a myth or not, 203 00:10:08,547 --> 00:10:12,387 Speaker 2: but you often hear about captain c affecting a player's performance. 204 00:10:13,587 --> 00:10:17,587 Speaker 2: What strategies can you use to make sure captaincy doesn't 205 00:10:17,587 --> 00:10:18,667 Speaker 2: affect the way you bat? 206 00:10:20,467 --> 00:10:23,147 Speaker 3: Yeah? Again, I think it's been able to stick to 207 00:10:23,147 --> 00:10:25,467 Speaker 3: your planet as best you can. I think you know 208 00:10:25,547 --> 00:10:28,947 Speaker 3: it's been able to switch between a captain and also 209 00:10:28,987 --> 00:10:33,187 Speaker 3: switching between a batsman, which is really important. Obviously, when 210 00:10:33,187 --> 00:10:36,147 Speaker 3: I doubt, it's about me and trying to I guess, 211 00:10:36,267 --> 00:10:38,747 Speaker 3: nail my things as best I can and not worrying 212 00:10:38,867 --> 00:10:42,227 Speaker 3: too much about what's out of your control. And as 213 00:10:42,227 --> 00:10:44,787 Speaker 3: I said, I've done in the past and done it before, 214 00:10:44,867 --> 00:10:47,307 Speaker 3: so I'll sendly be leaning back on those experiences and 215 00:10:48,507 --> 00:10:49,187 Speaker 3: going from there. 216 00:10:49,507 --> 00:10:51,907 Speaker 2: Busy time ahead for your tom three Tests against India 217 00:10:51,907 --> 00:10:54,547 Speaker 2: three back home against England, which we're very much looking 218 00:10:54,587 --> 00:10:58,107 Speaker 2: forward to Congratulations again on being named down new Test 219 00:10:58,147 --> 00:11:01,147 Speaker 2: captain and thanks for the chat this afternoon. No worry, 220 00:11:02,107 --> 00:11:04,467 Speaker 2: no thank you, Tom. Tom lath them there black Caps 221 00:11:04,627 --> 00:11:07,587 Speaker 2: Test skipper, not on a temporary basis anymore, not on 222 00:11:07,627 --> 00:11:11,227 Speaker 2: a fill in basis. He is the new Test skipper 223 00:11:11,787 --> 00:11:12,507 Speaker 2: moving forward. 224 00:11:13,027 --> 00:11:16,187 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 225 00:11:16,307 --> 00:11:19,587 Speaker 1: to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow 226 00:11:19,627 --> 00:11:21,267 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio