Former WTC winners New Zealand will finally get their 2025-27 cycle underway as they begin their three-match Test series against West Indies at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Tuesday. West Indies, on the other hand, are near the bottom of the WTC 2025-27 Points Table with five losses in five matches at the hands of Australia and India till date.
The three-match series will see the return of former captain Kane Williamson into Test cricket after nearly a year's break due to injury and his decision to cut back on amount of international cricket. The Lucknow Super Giants mentor has already retired from the T20I format.
The Black Caps have won 11 ODI series in a row at home but their Test record hasn't been that formidable. They have only managed to win two out of the last 7 Test series at home, one of those coming against second-string South African team last year.
Roston Chase's West Indies, on the other hand, will once again be hampered by injuries to their premier pacers - Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph. They have called up Kemar Roach in desperation, who last played Test cricket a while back.
For the home team, with Williamson back in the playing 11, it will be a toss up between Devon Conway and Will Young to decide who will open the batting with captain Tom Latham. They will also need to pick one out of Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner as the new ball bowler with Matt Henry.
Overall in Test, New Zealand and West Indies have faced off 49 times with the Kiwis winning 17 out of those matches and Windies victorious on 13 occasions.
Here are all the details about New Zealand vs West Indies 2025 1st Test match...
The New Zealand vs West Indies 2025 1st Test match will take place from Tuesday, December 2.
The New Zealand vs West Indies 2025 1st Test match will be held at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The New Zealand vs West Indies 2025 1st Test match Day 1 will begin at 3am IST. The toss for the match will be held at 330am.
The New Zealand vs West Indies 2025 1st Test match will be available LIVE on TV on Sony Sports network channels in India.
The New Zealand vs West Indies 2025 1st Test match will be available for livestreaming on SonyLiv website and app.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway/Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner/Michael Bracewell, Zak Foulkes, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy/Blair Tickner
West Indies: John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze/Brandon King, Shai Hope, Kavem Hodge, Roston Chase (c), Tevin Imlach (wk), Justin Greaves, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Johann Layne/Anderson Phillip/Ojay Shields