NZ vs WI Match Analysis
The first Test of the series gets underway at the iconic Hagley Oval in Christchurch, a venue known for pace, bounce, and early seam movement. Play begins in the morning session under typically cool New Zealand conditions, making the toss extremely influential. Both sides enter with contrasting momentum, but the Test stage promises unpredictability and high-stakes cricket.
New Zealand enters the series with a settled core of experienced campaigners led by seasoned skipper Tom Latham. Their batting lineup is stacked with proven match-winners, particularly in home conditions where they dominate with discipline and patience.
West Indies arrive with youthful ambition and a unit trying to re-establish itself in the longest format. Their recent performances show grit, but they lack consistency in converting good moments into match-winning control.
New Zealand vs West Indies Team Preview & Squads
New Zealand
Tom Latham, known for his calm demeanor and tactical clarity, continues to lead the side with composure. His experience as an opener in challenging conditions gives him a strong foundation in decision-making under pressure.
The NZ batting lineup boasts a strong top order featuring Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra. With Daryl Mitchell and Will Young offering further reliability, New Zealand rarely faces collapses at home. Depth continues into the lower order through Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner, who offer assured runs when needed.
New Zealand’s bowling remains their biggest weapon, spearheaded by Matt Henry and Blair Tickner, who exploit Christchurch seam conditions exceptionally. Santner and Bracewell add dependable spin control when needed later in the innings. Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, and Zak Foulkes provide impactful support options, offering variety and sustained pressure.
NZ dominated the match from the first session and never looked back. Their massive first-innings total of 601/3 declared crushed Zimbabwe both psychologically and strategically. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 125 & 117 in response, unable to counter New Zealand’s relentless attack. New Zealand registered a colossal victory by an innings and 359 runs, signalling their elite form in Test cricket.
New Zealand Squad
New Zealand Squad
Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
West Indies
Nicholas Kirton provides dynamic leadership with youthful energy and a balanced temperament. His batting ability brings both stability and aggression, helping anchor key moments. In only his early captaincy phase, Kirton focuses on fearlessness and self-belief to rebuild the West Indies’ red-ball legacy.
The WI batting order is talented but highly inconsistent, often relying on individual brilliance rather than collective effort. Shreyas Movva, Harsh Thaker, and Navneet Dhaliwal offer composure in the middle, while Dilon Heyliger and Yuvraj Samra add counter-attacking potential.
West Indies’ bowling attack lacks the firepower and variation seen in top Test sides. Kaleem Sana and Parveen Kumar can trouble batters with movement but need extended support. Saad bin Zafar’s spin might play a role late in the Test, though seamers will shoulder the burden early on.
India posted 518/5 declared in their first innings before setting a target of 121 runs. WI battled with scores of 248 & 390, showing fighting spirit but failing to maintain scoreboard pressure. India chased the small target confidently, finishing 124/3. West Indies lost by 7 wickets, signaling both improvement and evident gaps.
West Indies Squad
West Indies Squad
Nicholas Kirton (C), Akhil Kumar, Ajayveer Hundal, Dilpreet Bajwa, Dilon Heyliger, Harsh Thaker, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Parveen Kumar, Pargat Singh, Saad bin Zafar, Shahid Ahmadzai, Shreyas Movva (WK), Yuvraj Samra
Match Details | ||
Match | New Zealand vs West Indies | 1st Test | West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025 | |
Date | 02/12/2025 (Tuesday) | |
Time | 04:00 AM (BDT) / 03:00 AM (PKT) / 03:30 AM (INR) | |
Format | Test | |
Venue | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | |
Recent performance | New Zealand – L L W W W | West Indies – L L L L L |
Live Streaming Details | Click here to watch the Live Stream on Sports Live Hub(SLH) | |
NZ vs WI Outfield Report
Hagley Oval, Christchurch
The Christchurch pitch traditionally offers strong lateral movement for seamers in the first two days and flattens out gradually for batters. Bounce is true, encouraging positive shot-making once set, but patience is critical early. Spin enters the game only late, and usually as supporting control rather than a wicket-taking engine.
The weather forecast indicates cool temperatures between 11–18°C, cloud cover early in the day, and slight chances of drizzle. Wind gusts could aid swing bowlers and create uncomfortable sessions for batters in the morning. Overall, conditions strongly favor bowling first if the toss allows.
Historically, Christchurch has witnessed both high and low-scoring outcomes depending on batting temperament. First-innings totals of 350–450 are common for sides that survive the opening spell, but teams collapsing for 150 or below isn’t unusual when conditions favor the ball. Chasing above 260 in the fourth innings is statistically difficult at this venue.
New Zealand vs West Indies Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches
In the last five Test encounters between these two sides, New Zealand holds a dominant lead with four wins and one draw. West Indies have yet to register a win in this cycle, reflecting a significant competitive gap.
NZ vs WI Prediction
Event | New Zealand | West Indies |
Toss Winner | New Zealand | – |
Player of the Match | Devon Conway | – |
Top Run Scorer | Devon Conway | Alick Athanaze |
Top Wicket Taker | Mitchell Santner | Jayden Seales |
Most Sixes | Devon Conway | Alick Athanaze |
1st Innings Predicted Score | 350+ | 300+ |
Win Probability | 55% | 45% |
According to cricket analysts New Zealand have a 55% chance of Winning.
Disclaimer: This cricket prediction reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. We encourage readers to review the points shared and draw their own conclusions.
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