Another series is set to start under the World Test Championships 2025-27 as New Zealand are set to begin their campaign in this new cycle by hosting West Indies. It will be a 3-match Test series starting with the first one at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on December 2nd. The hosts have played against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe and won them but that was not under WTC and few of the players were resting. West Indies have had a struggle in the new cycle so far.
New Zealand will be led by Tom Latham and he has a good team to bank on under home conditions. Yes, few of the players are injured but still have a decent team and will be confident to start their campaign well against a team who have struggled a lot in Test match cricket to say the least. West Indies will be led by Roston Chase and they have played two series in this cycle against Australia at home and India away. They have lost all their games getting exposed totally. Although they showed some resistance in the final Test in Delhi, but it was to no avail.
The stage is set and it may look like a battle of unequals as New Zealand on paper are far superior than West Indies who are also missing some of their pacers. But you can never say never in cricket and anything can happen in this beautiful game. An interesting series is on the cards.
Overview
The stage is set for the first Test to begin in this 3-match series as New Zealand lock horns with West Indies at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch from 2nd December onwards at 3:30 AM IST. New Zealand locked horns against Zimbabwe in July/August and won both the Test matches easily but they were not part of WTC 2025-27 cycle. While other teams have started their campaign, New Zealand will finally start their campaign tomorrow in this 3-match series against the West Indies. They will be confident of the team doing well in this series.
New Zealand led by the ever-reliable Tom Latham and they have got most bases covered and under home conditions they are a tough team to beat. Devon Conway was the star in Zimbabwe but there is a possibility he may miss out on playing XI in this Test match. Tom Latham as captain without keeping duties is likely to open the batting with Will Young although the Kiwis could be tempted in giving Devon Conway a go ahead of Young.
New Zealand welcomes back their talisman Kane Williamson fresh from announcing T20I retirement and a break from the ODIs to prepare for these Test matches which he is committed to 100%. Rachin Ravindra is likely to take the crucial Number 4 spot as New Zealand welcome back Daryl Mitchell as well from a groin injury which sidelined Mitchell from the last two ODIs against the West Indies after he scored a ton in the first ODI. Mitchell is in the form of his life now.
Tom Blundell is expected to don the gloves ahead of spin bowling all-rounders Michael Bracewell and limited overs skipper Mitchell Santner. Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy are likely to be the three pacers as Will O’Rourke continues to recover from his injury. New Zealand if they wish can play an extra pacer depending on surface as the likes of Blair Tickner and Zak Foulkes is part of the squad. The team looks solid and will start as favourites against the West Indies for sure.
West Indies will be led by Roston Chase and unlike the Kiwis have started their campaign in the WTC cycle and it has been a tough, disappointing start from them to say the least. They first hosted Australia in a 3-match series and the batting crumbled to lose inside 3-4 days and then they touched an all-time low getting bundled out for 27 in Pink Ball Test against Australia in Jamaica. Then after a few months, they went to India for a 2-match Test series.
In the first Test in Ahmedabad, they got defeated by an innings inside 3 days but showed some fight in New Delhi in the second Test match to push the game to Day 5 but in the end, they lost that particular game as well. So, West Indies have played 5 Test matches across 2 series and have lost all 5 matches to languish towards the bottom of the table. This will be West Indies’ third series out of six in the ongoing WTC cycle.
West Indies welcome back Kemar Roach back into their set-up with both Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph not here due to injuries. Tagenarine Chanderpaul is likely to open the batting with John Campbell. Alick Athanaze will take the Number 3 spot ahead of Brandon King who will play at 4. The keeper batter and Mr. Reliable Shai Hope will bat at 5. Captain Roston Chase is likely to take the Number 6 spot ahead of Justin Greaves who bats at 7. Jomel Warrican is likely to take the next spot ahead of the returning Kemar Roach, Johann Layne and Jayden Seales.
West Indies also have three proper pacers and Greaves who bowls medium pace. With pitch expected to favour the pacers, Roach and Seales who are the two most experienced players could prove to be a handful on this track. The stage is set for an interesting battle and let us wait and watch as to who comes out on top.
Head-To-Head
The Head-To-Head battle between the two teams sees New Zealand and West Indies having squared off in 49 Tests against each other. New Zealand have won 17 games, West Indies have won 13 games while 19 Tests have ended in a draw. So, New Zealand with a slight edge in the overall head-to-head battle. But in the last 10 Tests, it is 8-2 in New Zealand’s favour with their last meeting in Tests taking place way back in December 2020 in which New Zealand hammered West Indies by giving them innings defeat.
Pitch & Weather Report
The pitch at the Hagley Oval is expected to favour fast bowlers early, with visible grass and natural movement on offer during the opening sessions. Seamers who hit a good length with get assistance, especially on Day 1. Batting becomes easier as the match progresses, with runs flowing more freely from Day 3 onwards. Historically, teams bowling first have enjoyed more success at this venue. Spinners are likely to play a limited role on this flat, pace-friendly track.
The weather report in Christchurch could be a tad dodgy. There is 40% chance of rain on Day 1 till about 1-2 PM Local time as play gets underway at 11 AM Local time in New Zealand. On Wednesday i.e. Day 2 of this Test match there is rain predicted throughout the day light rain ranging from 70% at the start and then coming down to 20% by night. There is rain on Thursday but might happen in the morning and clear-up. Friday which is scheduled Day 4 of Test match is supposed to be the clearest of the days.
But rain may return on Saturday post 4 PM Local Time. The temperatures will be cold between 11 degrees to 22 degrees Celsius with warmest weather expected on Friday when there is no rain. It is safe to say according to meteorologists, we will have a stop/start Test match.
Predicted/Probable Playing XI of both sides
Here, are the predicted playing XIs of both sides.
New Zealand XI: Tom Latham (c), Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy.
West Indies XI: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk), Roston Chase (c), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Kemar Roach, Johann Layne, Jayden Seales.
Key Players to watch out for this match.Â
Daryl Mitchell: Daryl Mitchell has been in red hot form in White-ball cricket lately. He has bailed New Zealand out of troubles many times and is an integral member of the Test side. Batting at 5, he has played many important knocks and helped his team recover or put on a good score. New Zealand will hope Mitchell fires amongst others with Williamson just coming back in after a while away from cricket.
Matt Henry: Matt Henry is the spearhead of this pace-bowling line-up. With Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy less on experience and even so Blair Tickner and Zak Foulkes, the onus is on Henry to lead the attack with precision. He will want to be injury free and do well in this match and set the tone for the series. Henry is an important cog in the wheel for New Zealand. ‘
Shai Hope: Shai Hope may not be the captain anymore, but he still keeps and even in Tests, he is Mr. Reliable. Batting at 5, he will be expected to do well and lead West Indies forward. He will provide solidity to the batting and hold one end up as we have often seen West Indies collapse more often than not. He maybe required to hold the innings together and then do prerequisite things to do well.
Kemar Roach: West Indies welcome back Kemar Roach into the squad and also in the playing XI and he will be key as he has the knowledge of these conditions on offer. With both Shamar and Alzarri Joseph not here due to injury, the onus is on the veteran pacer to prove a point to everyone and shine and he will get helpful conditions to do well with overcast green pitch and all that.
Key Stats/Records to look forward to in this clash
- Justin Greaves is 71 runs away from completing 500 Test runs.
- Roston Chase is 56 runs away from completing 2500 Test runs.
- Tom Latham is 165 runs away from completing 6000 Test runs.
Predicted/Possible Outcome of the Match
For starters, there is plenty of rain predicted which will make it a challenge in bringing out a result. So, a draw is a real possibility. Having said that, if there is no rain then we reckon that New Zealand starts this match as overwhelming favourites. West Indies have to play out of their skins to win this match. The Kiwis should draw first blood in the series.
Let’s see how things unfold and whether rain plays spoilsport or not in Christchurch.
Also Read:Â NZ vs WI: Problems Aplenty For West Indies In ODIs