ENG vs NZ | ‘I see Latham as our future Test captain’ - Simon Doull

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull believes that Tom Latham should take over the captaincy duties from Kane Williamson in Test cricket.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Doull opined that the stand-in skipper, Tom Latham boasts a great understanding of the game and plays well at the top of the order. Hence, the cricketer turned commentator feels it's time for the southpaw to replace Williamson.

"He's a terrific captain; I think he understands and reads the game really well, and he is comfortable within his own game at the top of the order. If Kane Williamson is fit for the last Test match and captains New Zealand, might it be for the last time in Test cricket? I just think it's almost time for Latham to take over this Test side," opined Simon Doull.

Doull further said that Williamson should continue to lead New Zealand in the white-ball format but wants to see Latham as New Zealand's next Test captain to ease the pressure from Williamson's shoulders.

"I just want Kane (Williamson) to be the best batter New Zealand has ever had. He will be, but he's a such a good quality player and it hurts me to see what he's going through at the moment form-wise, coming out of the IPL and into that first Test. He is such a quality player and quality guy. Captaincy in the white-ball format I still see with him moving forward, but I see Latham as our future Test captain - which will relieve some of the pressure on Williamson."

Supporting Doull's statement, former New Zealand batter Grant Elliott said that giving up the captaincy of the red ball cricket will take off pressure from Williamson, and he'll be able to play more freely as a batter.

"I like the fact that Kane is not captaining if he's playing because I always felt that the succession was broken when John Wright chose Ross Taylor as captain. It should've been Brendon (McCullum) and then Ross should've taken over from Brendon, and then Kane should've only been taking the reins over the last couple of years," said Grant Elliot on SENZ's Saturday Sessions.

"Unfortunately, he was given it at a young age and there's so many responsibilities as captain. Some people enjoy it, some people don't. I think it's up to Kane whether he enjoys it or not, but I think it would take a lot of pressure off his batting and we could just enjoy watching probably our best-ever batter (succeed at the crease)," concluded Elliot.

Since taking the reins from Brendon McCullum, Williamson has led New Zealand to 21 wins and nine losses across 36 Test matches. Latham has led the New Zealand Test team in 9 games in the absence of Kane Williamson, and amongst those 9 games, the Blackcaps have won on 4 occasions and lost the other 4 games.

Williamson was forced to miss the second Test against England after contracting COVID-19 on the eve of the match in Nottingham. However, he's expected to be fit and available for selection for the third and final Test of the series against England.