Recap: Black Caps v West Indies — first test in Christchurch
Saturday, 6 December 2025
The Black Caps and West Indies start their three-match test series at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Tuesday.
The first red ball match of the home summer will be broadcast live on TVNZ, while Stuff will have live coverage from 10.30am each day.
New Zealand hold a 17-13 advantage in the head-to-head stakes.
Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell failed fitness tests on Tuesday morning and didn’t make the XI, so paceman Zak Foulkes plays his first test at home.
What to expect
The Black Caps are playing a test match at home.
Yes, you read that right, the Black Caps face the West Indies in the first of three tests starting today, finally beginning their 2025-2027 World Test Championship campaign.
Incredibly, New Zealand have played just two test matches so far in 2025, beating Zimbabwe 2-0 in Bulawayo in August in a non-WTC series.
Compare that to India, for example, who have already played nine tests in the WTC, or even their opponents today, the West Indies, who have played five tests.
The diet of white ball cricket will not be an issue, Black Caps top brass insist as they head into the test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
“That it's just the nature of the schedule,” captain Tom Latham said, “ … for us it's always about focusing on each game as it comes. I don't think there's a huge relevance in (being the last team to play).”
Black Caps coach Rob Walter, who is preparing for his first home test series since taking over the role in January, emphasised the importance of getting results at home.
“I think if you look, traditionally around the last couple of editions of the World Test Championship, being successful at home is critically important.
“It's not the be-all-and-end-all because you've started to see how teams can win away from home … but certainly, winning at home is important.
“We are looking to start strong and start quick, and lay down a marker early in the World Test Championship.”
The Black Caps, who are ranked fifth in the world compared to the Windies’ eighth, welcome the return of Kane Williamson for his first test in almost a year, having missed the Zimbabwe series.
But the hosts were sweating on fitness tests on Tuesday morning for key batter Daryl Mitchell and experienced spinner Mitchell Santner before finalising their playing XI.
Latham is not underestimating a West Indies team coming off a couple of tough series losses, 3-0 against Australia at home and 2-0 against India away.
“Look, they're a quality team. They've got quality players throughout. I think having played here already, through the two formats of T20 and ODI cricket, I think will help on wickets that maybe offered a little bit more to the seamers.”
Walter agreed. “They've got a really good seam attack, some dangerous batters and can bat for long periods of time so from a team point of view (we have to) respect the game of cricket and be prepared for the contest.”
Squads
Black Caps: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Michael Bracewell, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner.
West Indies: Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brendon King, Roston Chase (c), Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Johann Layne, Jomel Warrican, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields.
What they said
Rob Walter, Black Caps coach: “The team's pretty clear in their test match identity. They've done incredibly well as a unit. So it's to just fall back into that, a strong understanding of the tempo of the game in test match cricket and how we like to play it and really to essentially put our best foot forward and play the game that, the way that we want to play it.”
Tom Latham, Black Caps captain: “I think as international cricketers nowadays, you sort of chop and change formats. Yes, we haven't played red ball cricket for a long period of time, but guys have prepped slightly differently over the last week. Some guys have been playing, and some guys have been training in the nets at their home MAs (provincial teams). So I think for us heading into a red ball game, it's about trying to adapt as quick as we can.”
Head to head
Played 49: New Zealand 17 wins, West Indies 13 wins, 19 draws
TAB odds
Black Caps $2.35
West Indies $7.50
Draw $4.50
Key stat
Of the 14 tests played at Hagley Oval, the side winning the toss has elected to bowl first 13 times.
Weather forecast
Fine weather is forecast for the majority of the five days, including on Friday, when a high of 24degC is forecast for the Garden City.
However, light rain and a cool conditions - the forecast high is just 13degC - are expected on Wednesday for day two.