Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Sport Nation
Motorsport
Netball
Basketball
Combat Sports
Olympics
Other Sports
Find your Sport Nation frequencyInside the mind of Tom Latham: Leadership, Lessons, and the Australian Challenge
Sport Nation • November 11th, 2026 3:52 pm
New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
In an exclusive sit-down interview with Sport Nation’s Alex Chapman, Blackcaps Test captain Tom Latham offered a rare peek behind the scenes into his leadership style, his transition from junior rugby player to international cricket captain, and how the team plans to tackle the formidable challenge of playing Australia on their home turf.
The Quiet Leader with High Standards
Latham describes himself as naturally quiet and deeply respectful of the game's seniority traditions when he first broke into the Blackcaps setup 14 years ago. Guided by former captains Brendan McCullum, Kane Williamson, and Tim Southee, Latham has absorbed different styles of leadership - combining McCullum's tactical aggressiveness, Williamson's serene clarity, and Southee's "follow-me" presence - to shape his own approach.
"I find myself very fortunate to lead this New Zealand side," Latham said. "It wasn't necessarily a goal of mine growing up—most kids just want to play for New Zealand. But it’s a privilege to be in this position."
Interestingly, cricket was not always Latham's primary focus. A former hooker in rugby, he retired from the sport at age 15 after making an under-19 squad to tour England as a non-travelling reserve. Looking back, Latham jokes that hanging up the rugby boots was definitely the right call.
Matt Henry, Tim Southee and Tom Latham | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Breaking Historical Barriers
Reflecting on New Zealand's landmark away series victories in India and England, Latham attributes the success to understanding local conditions and remaining grounded in team processes rather than focusing purely on outcomes.
When asked about the upcoming challenge of playing four Test matches against Australia in Australia, Latham emphasised that adaptability and sticking to their brand of cricket will be critical.
"In India, it was about playing more aggressively and understanding runs and wickets versus time. In England, we went back to old-school Test cricket - doing things for long periods of time. Australia presents a unique challenge, especially across a four-Test tour, but we're focused on finding a way that works specifically for this group."
The Blackcaps' Test side were victorious in England this year | Photo: Matthew Impey/Photosport
A World-Class Pace Attack and Opening Partnership
Latham credited the quality and variety within the current Blackcaps pace bowling group, pointing out that having a deep pool of six or seven fast bowlers with distinct traits - pace, bounce, seam, and swing - gives the side a distinct edge when travelling overseas.
On a personal level, Latham also reflected on his opening partnership with Devon Conway, which has become the most successful opening pair in New Zealand Test history. He attributes their synergy to a strong off-field friendship, high communication on the pitch, and complementary styles where either player can anchor or accelerate depending on match dynamics.
Tom Latham and Devon Conway | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Franchise Cricket vs. National Duty
Addressing the shifting landscape of global franchise leagues, Latham reiterated that representing New Zealand remains his paramount priority. While open to franchise opportunities during appropriate calendar windows, his commitment to the national red-ball team remains resolute.
Looking ahead to the next 12 months—and the prospective World Test Championship cycle—Latham stays focused on process over results: "We want to win, but success is about keeping the process solid, staying calm under pressure, and leaving the team in a better place."
Watch the full interview via the Sport Nation YouTube below:
Tune into Sport Nation for live ball-by-ball commentary of the Blackcaps' Test tour of Australia this December/January - download the app today on Google Play and the App Store - find your frequency here.
