After winning the toss, New Zealand chose to bat first, a decision they had not taken in a home Test since 2011. By stumps, the hosts were firmly in control at 334 for 1, with Tom Latham dismissed late in the day for 137 and Conway unbeaten on 178. The opening duo vindicated New Zealand\u2019s bold call to bat first on a green top surface, putting on a commanding 323-run opening stand on Day 1.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Conway said the decision to bat first was made collectively once the team finalised its playing XI. Speaking after the conclusion of Day 1, he said, \u201cOnce 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,\u201d Conway said. \u201cMentally, 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.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The early stages, however, were far from comfortable. West Indies made full use of the conditions, and Conway admitted he struggled to find rhythm.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn 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. 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\u2026 Just everything felt really awkward. The trigger, it\u2019s just part of the game, batting...That happens every now and then, but I just try to remind myself just to get through that,\u201d he mentioned.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As the day wore on, batting became noticeably easier. The ball softened, the pitch quickened, and Conway and Latham began to dominate. Conway struck 25 fours in an innings built on patience and controlled aggression. \u201cI 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Staying positive was key to cashing in. \u201cOne 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.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The innings comes at an important time for Conway, who has struggled for consistency in recent months, with two-thirds of his previous 39 Test innings ending before he reached 30. However, he downplayed any personal pressure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI just try and remind myself to just keep doing that - don\u2019t worry about the runs. Just keep focusing on doing a job for the team and doing a role. I\u2019m pretty happy that it turned over for me today, but I\u2019ve just got to keep focusing on being present and just, as I say, doing a role for the team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Conway also reflected on the challenges of opening the batting, particularly in New Zealand conditions. \u201cIt 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\u2019s pretty green,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He was quick to praise his opening partner. \u201cAlready mentally you think, well, it\u2019s going to do bits here on this pitch. I think a lot of credit needs to go to a guy like Tom Latham, who\u2019s played 90-odd Tests, and he\u2019s done so well. I think he\u2019s scored his 15th Test century, and a lot of those centuries have been here in New Zealand.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Discipline, Conway noted, remains non-negotiable. \u201cI think you\u2019ve 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\u2019ve just got to be disciplined.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Conway\u2019s top Test score is still the double century he made on his debut at Lord\u2019s. He will resume on day two, just 22 runs shy of that achievement, but milestones are not at the front of his mind.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Discipline, Conway noted, remains non-negotiable. \u201cI think you\u2019ve 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\u2019ve just got to be disciplined.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For now, his focus is straightforward. \u201cI just want to go out there, stay in the process ball by ball, and just keep doing my thing - building a partnership with others at the other end.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n