New Zealand vs West Indies, 1st Test: When and where to watch?

The West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025-26 kicks off with an eagerly awaited 1st Test match at Christchurch’s iconic Hagley Oval, starting on December 2, 2025. This five-day encounter marks the beginning of a series that could be crucial for both teams as they battle for supremacy and valuable points in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.

Match Details

Match: New Zealand vs West Indies, 1st Test

Date and time: 2 December, 3.30 am IST

Venue: Hagley Oval,

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Where to watch the New Zealand vs West Indies, 1st Test online?

Cricket fans in India can watch the New Zealand vs West Indies, 1st Test match on SonyLIV via OTTplay Premium.

Preview

New Zealand kicks off their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign with the 1st Test against West Indies at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, from December 2-6.

As the last of nine teams to begin this cycle, the Black Caps return after a four-month Test hiatus against Zimbabwe and a year since their previous WTC fixture, a 2-1 series loss to England in the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy.

Kane Williamson returns as a linchpin after skipping Zimbabwe Tests and recent ODIs, bolstering the batting. Debutant Zakary Foulkes (9/75 vs Zimbabwe) eyes a home start alongside Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, and Nathan Smith. Spin options include Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra; Tom Latham captains with Tom Blundell as wicketkeeper.

West Indies, meanwhile, seek redemption after a dismal start: a 3-0 whitewash by Australia at home (including a collapse to 27 all out) and a 2-0 defeat in India. Yet, their grit in Delhi's second Test, reaching Day 5 post-follow-on via centuries from John Campbell and Shai Hope, offers hope.

Captain Roston Chase may lead a four-seam attack, potentially dropping spinner Jomel Warrican. Kemar Roach returns for experience, with debutant Ojay Shields adding pace alongside Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip, and Johan Layne. Shai Hope and John Campbell will look to anchor the batting for them.

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Possible XI

NZ Probable XI: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway/Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes.

WI Probable XI: John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope, Roston Chase (c), Tevin Imlach (wk), Justin Greaves, Anderson Phillip, Johan Layne, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.