The stage is set for a gripping contest as the three-match series between New Zealand and the West Indies gets underway with the NZ vs WI 1st Test. The Black Caps, playing in their home fortress, will be looking to start their 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) campaign on a winning note, while the touring West Indies side aims to shake off their recent struggles in the longest format and secure a crucial victory in Christchurch.
This series represents a fresh beginning for New Zealand in the WTC, whereas the West Indies are still searching for their first win in the new cycle, having endured a challenging run. The series is expected to be a test of resilience for the visitors against a formidable New Zealand unit, particularly in their home conditions.
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Match Time and Streaming Details for the NZ vs WI 1st Test
The NZ vs WI 1st Test is scheduled to begin at the local time of 11:00 AM (New Zealand Daylight Time) on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
| Region | Time Zone | Start Time (Day 1) |
| India | IST (Indian Standard Time) | 3:30 AM (Tuesday, Dec 2) |
| United States (East) | EST (Eastern Standard Time) | 5:30 PM (Monday, Dec 1) |
| United States (Pacific) | PST (Pacific Standard Time) | 2:30 PM (Monday, Dec 1) |
Live Streaming & Broadcast
| Region | Broadcast Network/Platform |
| New Zealand | TVNZ (Free-to-Air) / Sky Sport NZ |
| India | Sony Sports Network (TV) / SonyLIV & FanCode (Streaming) |
| United States (USA) | ESPN+ (Expected Streaming) / Willow TV (Select matches) |
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports (TV) / bet365 Live Sports Streaming |
Teams, Tournament Context, and Venue for the NZ vs WI 1st Test
The NZ vs WI 1st Test is the opening match of a three-Test series forming part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. The home side, New Zealand (currently ranked 5th in ICC Test Rankings), is led by stand-in captain Tom Latham, as regular captain Tim Southee is unavailable. This marks New Zealand’s first step into the new WTC cycle, and their squad is significantly boosted by the return of batting stalwart Kane Williamson and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell.
The West Indies (ranked 8th) have had a tough run in Test cricket since the beginning of 2024, winning just three of their 16 Test matches and losing 12. Captain Roston Chase leads a side keen on a major turnaround. Their bowling attack faces a considerable challenge with the official absence of key fast bowlers, Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, due to injury, placing the onus on the recalled veteran Kemar Roach. The match is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Likely Playing XIs for the NZ vs WI 1st Test
Based on the official squads and pitch conditions (favouring seamers), both teams are expected to load up on pace options.
| New Zealand (Probable XI) | West Indies (Probable XI) |
| Tom Latham (c) | Tagenarine Chanderpaul |
| Devon Conway | John Campbell |
| Kane Williamson | Alick Athanaze |
| Will Young | Shai Hope (wk) |
| Daryl Mitchell | Roston Chase (c) |
| Tom Blundell (wk) | Brandon King |
| Rachin Ravindra | Kavem Hodge |
| Mitchell Santner/Michael Bracewell | Jomel Warrican |
| Matt Henry | Kemar Roach |
| Jacob Duffy/Nathan Smith | Jayden Seales |
| Blair Tickner | Anderson Phillip/Johann Layne |
Head-to-Head Records: An Analysis Before the NZ vs WI 1st Test
The historical Test rivalry between the two nations slightly favours the Black Caps, especially in recent years and in home conditions, adding another layer of advantage for New Zealand heading into the NZ vs WI 1st Test.
| Statistic | New Zealand | West Indies | Drawn/Tied |
| Total Matches | 49 | 49 | 19 |
| Matches Won | 17 | 13 | – |
| Matches in NZ | 21 | 21 | 6 |
| Won in NZ | 14 | 7 | – |
New Zealand has been particularly dominant against the West Indies at home, holding a formidable 14-7 win-loss record on their turf. The Black Caps have won the last five consecutive Test matches against the West Indies, dating back to 2017. The West Indies’ last Test win in New Zealand came way back in 1995, highlighting the immense challenge they face in this NZ vs WI 1st Test.
Key Players to Watch in the NZ vs WI 1st Test
The confirmed squads introduce key matchups that will likely determine the outcome of the NZ vs WI 1st Test.
New Zealand
- Kane Williamson: The returning master batter is the leading run-scorer in the history of the NZ vs WI Test rivalry, with 970 runs in just 10 matches at a stellar average of approx 60.62. His recent form (1013 runs in 9 Tests since 2024 at approx 59.58 average) makes him the anchor of the batting lineup.
- Matt Henry: The designated pace spearhead in home conditions. Henry has been one of the world’s most successful seamers since 2024, with 64 wickets in 11 Tests at an average of approx 16.2. His prolific record at Hagley Oval (36 wickets in 14 innings) makes him New Zealand’s key weapon against the brittle West Indies top order.
- Rachin Ravindra: The young all-rounder, expected to bat at number four, has been in consistent form with the bat. His runs and handy left-arm spin will be crucial in providing balance.
West Indies
- Kemar Roach: The veteran pacer’s recall is critical given the injuries to the Josephs. With 270 Test wickets, his experience in difficult conditions, coupled with his ability to maintain a probing line and length, will be vital to challenging the New Zealand top order. He is expected to lead the attack.
- Shai Hope: While his Test numbers are modest, Hope’s outstanding form in the recent ODI series against New Zealand shows he is comfortable in the conditions. He is the most technically sound batter in the middle order and the team will need him to convert his white-ball confidence into red-ball resilience.
- Jayden Seales: He has quickly established himself as a frontline Test bowler and will be tasked with providing the necessary pace and aggression. Since the start of 2024, he has been the pick of the West Indies quicks and will need to exploit the Hagley Oval pitch aggressively alongside Roach.
Pitch and Weather Conditions at Hagley Oval
Pitch Report
The Hagley Oval pitch in Christchurch is expected to be a fast bowler’s paradise, highly favouring the pace attack in the NZ vs WI 1st Test.
- Seam and Swing: The surface typically offers a considerable amount of pace and bounce, with lateral movement, especially under cloud cover, heavily favouring the fast bowlers. A remarkable 90.71% of wickets taken here have been by pacers.
- Batting Challenge: While the surface is considered good for batting once the new-ball threat is negotiated, the average first innings score is a modest 288. Batting last will be a monumental task, as the average fourth-innings score drops significantly to 173. Teams winning the toss often prefer to bowl first.
Weather Forecast
The forecast for the NZ vs WI 1st Test suggests cool temperatures and a mixed outlook. The opening day is expected to be clear, but there is a chance of rain interruptions later in the match. The cool, potentially overcast conditions are perfectly suited for New Zealand’s swing and seam attack, amplifying the new ball threat.
Prediction for the NZ vs WI 1st Test
Prediction: New Zealand to Win by a Significant Margin (72-77% Win Probability)
The balance of the squads, the historical record, and the specific pitch conditions all point towards a strong victory for the home side in the NZ vs WI 1st Test.
- NZ’s Elite Test Core: The return of Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell adds immense stability to a batting lineup already featuring Devon Conway and Tom Latham, making New Zealand’s top six one of the most reliable in Test cricket.
- Pace Dominance at Home: The New Zealand pace quartet, spearheaded by the in-form Matt Henry, is perfectly suited to the pace and bounce of the Hagley Oval pitch. The West Indies batting unit, already struggling for consistency, will find it incredibly difficult to counter this threat.
- West Indies’ Lack of Depth: The unfortunate absence of the two key Joseph quicks severely diminishes the West Indies’ ability to take 20 wickets against a high-quality batting side. While Roach and Seales are talented, the overall attack lacks the sustained menace needed in New Zealand.
New Zealand is expected to start the three-Test series with a comprehensive victory.
