Tom Latham, who has captained New Zealand in 44 ODIs, is a leading candidate to assume the captaincy full-time following Kane Williamson's decision to step down. The 32-year-old Latham, who has stepped in during Williamson's absences, including at the 2023 Cricket World Cup, expressed his readiness to take on the role.
Latham stated, "It would obviously be a real honour. For me, it's always about putting the team first, and if I get the opportunity, it would be really special."
New Zealand's management is still deliberating whether to have a single captain for both white-ball formats, which could impact Latham's chances since he hasn't played in a T20I for over a year. Test captain Tim Southee could be considered for leading all three formats.
Coach Gary Stead mentioned that while the final decision has not been made, Latham is definitely a strong candidate for the role. "We're not at the stage of confirming it yet, so I don't want to speculate whether Tom will be [named captain] or not. But he's certainly one guy that will be in discussions about that role," Stead said.
Stead highlighted the importance of appointing a captain who can lead the team for the next two to three years, particularly with the next ODI World Cup in mind.
The need for a new captain arose after significant changes in the team, including Trent Boult opting out of his central contract to play in various T20 leagues globally. Following a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne also declined their central contracts, with Williamson instead signing a casual contract. Despite this, Williamson is expected to participate in most of New Zealand's international fixtures, barring those that conflict with the SA20 in January.
Latham acknowledged the evolving nature of cricket in New Zealand and the impact of numerous T20 leagues on players' decisions. He highlighted that while the flexible contract system has worked well, it might need reevaluation in light of the changing landscape.
"Cricket in New Zealand is evolving. It's not a black-and-white situation with all these leagues emerging. Everyone's future may look different depending on their age or stage in life," Latham said.
He also mentioned that the flexible contract system has been effective, but may require reassessment. "There's a lot of flexibility in our contracts, but with the changing cricket landscape, New Zealand Cricket and the players' association will likely review it," he said.
Latham noted that the absence of senior players has allowed others to step up into leadership roles, presenting opportunities for those who haven't had them before. He believes this dynamic will continue to benefit the team.
Looking ahead, the Black Caps have a busy schedule, including tours and visits from teams like England, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, as well as participation in the Champions Trophy. Latham highlighted the need for flexibility with the team's personnel moving forward.
"We've got a lot of cricket ahead, including the Champions Trophy. Whether with different personnel or familiar faces, we need to remain adaptable," Latham concluded.