However whereas Latham doesn’t need the workforce to relaxation on their laurels after such a excessive, he accepts a steadiness must be struck between shifting on and channelling the arrogance that comes with any sequence win in India, not to mention a clear sweep.
“It was a tremendous couple of weeks, what we have been in a position to do over in India,” Latham mentioned on Wednesday. “Coming right here, as cliche as it’d sound, that’s prior to now. It is all about coming right here and focussing on what problem lies forward.
“New circumstances, new workforce – for us, it is about attempting to take as a lot confidence as we will from that sequence. The way in which we performed, the method we tried to take into that sequence in circumstances that have been robust. Figuring out that we will do all of it world wide is the arrogance we have to take into right here. And clearly, good coming residence to acquainted circumstances.
“That was essentially the most pleasing factor – the best way we went about issues over there, in circumstances that have been robust. We talk about it on a regular basis – adapting to circumstances and attempting to adapt as fast as we will. It is essential we come right here and attempt to do the identical as fast as doable.”
“A number of groups world wide have gone there and wished they might have executed the identical factor but it surely’s lots simpler mentioned than executed. I’ve received large admiration for what Tom and his workforce have been in a position to do out in India.”
Ben Stokes, England captain
“I feel regardless that we’re developing towards them in a sequence you have to maintain your arms up and provides an enormous quantity of credit score to New Zealand for going to India and successful all three video games in the best way they did,” mentioned the England captain.
“I feel it is huge for world cricket. India have been such a drive of their residence circumstances and New Zealand have gone over there and received 3-0, not solely is it nice for NZ cricket but it surely was an enormous factor for cricket normally {that a} touring workforce has been in a position to go and get one over on India as a result of I can not bear in mind a time a workforce was ready to do this.”
“We do not want any extra motivation than to stroll out representing our nation however I feel you have to admire what New Zealand have been in a position to do in India. A number of groups world wide have gone there and wished they might have executed the identical factor but it surely’s lots simpler mentioned than executed. I’ve received large admiration for what Tom and his workforce have been in a position to do out in India.”
Latham additionally backed Smith to make a powerful impression on debut. The bowling allrounder received the race for the ultimate seamer spot over Jacob Duffy. Smith has impressed domestically during the last couple of years and was rewarded with an NZC contract in September earlier than making his worldwide debut towards Sri Lanka earlier this month.
England will know a bit about him after he took 27 County Championship wickets for Worcestershire, whereas additionally scoring three half-centuries. It was a stint that attracted a number of extra admirers, together with Division One champions Surrey.
“He is somebody that may transfer the ball each methods within the air, and hit the wicket moderately exhausting,” Latham mentioned. “He balances our bowling assault fairly properly with the opposite three guys. And he can bat a bit bit – he is a little bit of a bowling allrounder, which definitely helps the steadiness of our facet.
“He is somebody that has produced outcomes over a time period for Wellington – he is been home participant of the yr for a few seasons in a row. It is nice to have somebody like that that is earned his spot and definitely deserves to be on this XI. We’re trying ahead to getting in behind him tomorrow.”
Vithushan Ehantharajah is an affiliate editor at ESPNcricinfo
