The first Test of the West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025 is set to begin at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025. The match will start at 03:30 AM IST and 10:00 PM GMT, with cricket fans eagerly anticipating the clash between two competitive sides.
Match Details:
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Match: New Zealand vs West Indies (NZ vs WI)
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League: West Indies tour of New Zealand, 2025
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Date: Tuesday, 2nd December 2025
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Time: 03:30 AM IST | 10:00 PM GMT
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Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand
New Zealand, led by Tom Latham, come into the series with a strong lineup featuring experienced campaigners like Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra. Their batting order is designed to provide stability at the top with Conway and Will Young as openers, while Williamson is expected to anchor the innings at one-down. The middle order of Ravindra, Latham, and Michael Bracewell offers depth, while Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner provide finishing options and all-round balance. The bowling attack will be led by pace spearheads Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy, supported by Zak Foulkes, with spin options from Ravindra and Santner.
West Indies, captained by Roston Chase, have a young yet talented side that includes experienced players like Shai Hope and Kemar Roach. The team opens with John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, while Alick Athanaze is expected to stabilize the innings at number three. The middle order is strengthened by Hope and Chase, with wicketkeeping duties shared between Tevin Imlach and Hope as required. Their pace attack is led by Roach and Jayden Seales, supported by Ojay Shields making his debut. Jomel Warrican provides spin options to supplement the seamers on a pitch that may assist the pacers early on.
Probable Playing XI:
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham (C), Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith
West Indies: John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope (WK), Roston Chase (C), Tevin Imlach (WK), Justin Greaves, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Jayden Seales
Pitch and Weather Report:
The Hagley Oval pitch traditionally assists pacers in the early overs due to movement off the seam. Batsmen tend to gain control once the ball softens, but spinners can also make an impact if they hit the right lengths. Conditions are expected to be cloudy, with temperatures around 12°C, 82% humidity, and wind speeds of 4.1 km/h. There is a 48% chance of precipitation, which may influence the match and make early conditions challenging for both sides. Historically, teams bowling first have dominated at this venue, winning 9 out of 15 matches, with an average first-innings score of 284 and a second-innings average of 303.
Key Players:
For New Zealand, Kane Williamson remains the linchpin of the batting lineup, while Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy are expected to lead the pace attack. Spin options from Santner and Ravindra can provide crucial breakthroughs. Devon Conway and Will Young at the top will play aggressive roles to set the tone.
West Indies will rely heavily on Shai Hope for consistency, Roston Chase for all-round contributions, and Jayden Seales for pace and swing in crucial periods. Kemar Roach’s experience in death overs and the seam-friendly conditions at Hagley Oval will be vital for their bowling strategy.
Head to Head:
New Zealand and West Indies have faced each other in 49 Test matches. New Zealand leads the tally with 17 wins, while West Indies have won 13 matches, making this a closely contested rivalry historically.
Match Scenarios and Predictions:
Given the Hagley Oval pitch, winning the toss could be significant. Teams batting second have historically had an advantage, suggesting West Indies might prefer to bat first if they win the toss. The match is likely to be determined by the top-order batting performances and the opening spells of the pacers.
In terms of predictions, West Indies appear in slightly better form, with aggressive opening batters and a strong bowling attack that can exploit early movement. New Zealand will look to leverage their experience, particularly with Williamson and Latham stabilizing the innings while Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy attack with the new ball.
Live Streaming:
Fans can follow the match live on Sony Sports Network, with online streaming available through official apps such as SonyLIV in India and New Zealand, and ESPNcricinfo or Cricbuzz in other regions for live scores and commentary updates.
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