A right-handed lower-order batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler, Latham played for Gloucestershire's second eleven in 1959 and 1960 before switching to Somerset for the 1961 season.
He made his first-class debut in the first home match of the season, taking three wickets in the Hampshire first innings (and one in the second) before arriving in the Somerset second innings, as No 11 batsman, with his side still 59 runs short of a target of 172 in a low-scoring match; with Brian Langford he put on 40 before Langford was bowled.
In the 1962 season, Latham played in almost half of Somerset's matches, though with a side full of fast-medium and medium-pace bowlers, he was bowled sparingly.
He was the sixth bowler used when he played against Nottinghamshire at Bath and won the match by taking five for 20 in less than 10 overs, bowling off-cutters.
[7] Instead, Latham moved to North-East England and began playing Minor Counties cricket for Northumberland, appearing for them for 10 seasons through to 1972.