New Zealand host West Indies in the decisive third Test of their 2025 series at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, with the Black Caps aiming to seal a series win after a draw in the opener and a dominant nine-wicket victory in the second. The match kicks off on December 18, 2025, at 4:00 AM IST (local time 11:00 AM NZDT), running through December 22 under clear skies and mild conditions.
Officially titled New Zealand vs West Indies, 3rd Test, West Indies Tour of New Zealand 2025. Weather forecasts pleasant days around 21-22°C with lows of 10-17°C, minimal rain risk (3-25% across days), and westerly breezes of 17-22 km/h aiding swing early—full play likely throughout. Bay Oval’s pitch starts seam-friendly with green tinges for pace, slows later to favor spinners on cracks, and supports first-innings scores of 300-350; variable bounce emerges by day four.
This finale decides the series, boosting New Zealand’s World Test Championship standing while West Indies fight to avoid a clean sweep—their first Test win in New Zealand since 1995 hangs in the balance. New Zealand’s momentum surges from dismantling West Indies for 128 in Wellington, chasing effortlessly thanks to Conway and Williamson. West Indies showed fight in the drawn opener but collapsed badly, needing a massive turnaround amid injuries.
Head-to-Head
Across 50 Tests, New Zealand lead with 17 wins to West Indies’ 13, alongside 20 draws. The last five meetings overwhelmingly favor New Zealand: four wins (including innings victories by 12 runs, 134 runs, 240 runs, and 67 wickets) and one draw, underscoring their recent home dominance.
Team Analysis: New Zealand
New Zealand’sNew Zealand host West Indies in the decisive third Test of their series, with the Black Caps aiming to seal a clean sweep after a draw in the opener and a commanding nine-wicket win in the second at Wellington. This clash kicks off on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 4:00 AM IST (11:00 PM NZ local time on December 17), at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand.
With New Zealand leading 1-0, this Test decides series glory and boosts their World Test Championship standings after recent dominance over Zimbabwe and now West Indies. Kiwis carry unstoppable momentum from Jacob Duffy’s 5/38 dismantling WI’s second innings for 128, plus swift chases by Conway and Williamson. West Indies, under Roston Chase, desperately seek a first NZ win since 1995, rebounding from Bangladesh T20 successes but exposed by seam in Wellington—key talking point is their top-order fragility versus NZ’s relentless attack.
Head-to-Head
Across 50 Tests, New Zealand lead with 17 wins to West Indies’ 13, 20 draws, no ties. Last five meetings heavily favor NZ: four victories (innings wins by 12/67 runs, 240 runs, and nine wickets), one draw—WI’s last NZ Test win dates back decades, underscoring home-soil struggles.
WI vs NZ Match Details
- Match: 3rd Test Match
- Teams: West Indies vs New Zealand
- Date: 19 December 2025
- Time: 3:00 AM 10:00 PM GMT / 11:00 AM LOCAL
- Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington
WI vs NZ Live Streaming Info
The 3rd Test Match between West Indies and New Zealand is scheduled for December 19, 2025. This Basin Reserve, Wellington.
- In India: The match will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network and live streaming will be available on FanCode and Amazon Prime Video (SonyLiv app).
- In New Zealand: The match will be telecast on TVNZ 1 and streamed live on Sky Sport Now.
- In Australia: Telecast is available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, and Fox Cricket channel (Channel 501) with live streaming on Kayo and Foxtel platforms.
- In Pakistan and other regions, platforms like Tapmad may also provide live streaming options
How to Watch the Match for Free:
To watch the New Zealand vs West Indies 3rd Test match for free, the best option is through TVNZ+ if you are located in New Zealand, as it is streaming the match live and free. If you are outside New Zealand, you can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access TVNZ+ by appearing as if you are browsing from New Zealand, thus bypassing geo-restrictions. ExpressVPN is a popular choice for its speed and reliability.
For viewers in the UK, the match will be available on TNT Sports via a subscription, but this is not free.
Live Streaming Info:
The 3rd Test match will be live on Willow TV.
Live Score Info:
Probable Playing XI
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tom Latham (c), Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryll Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Blundell (wk), Zak Foulkes, Michael Rae, Jacob Duffy, Ajaz Patel.
West Indies: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kraigg Brathwaite, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope (wk), Roston Chase (c), Gudakesh Motie, Jason Holder, Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph.
Team Analysis: New Zealand
New Zealand’s batting depth shines through Conway’s anchors and Williamson’s class, backed by Ravindra’s all-round flair and Mitchell’s aggression—recent nine-wicket romp highlighted their chase nous. Bowling blends Duffy’s seam fire (match-winner last Test), Ajaz Patel’s spin return for grip, and all-round options like Bracewell; strength lies in adaptability, weakness minimal beyond occasional middle-order wobbles on flat tracks.
Team Analysis: West Indies
West Indies hinge on Hope’s resilience and Chase’s spin-allround utility, with Roach and Seales providing seam bite—recent T20 whitewashes over Bangladesh show fight, but Test woes persist via batting collapses (205 & 128 all out last match). Top-order inexperience versus swing is glaring; pacers thrive early, but spin depth lacks punch on wearing pitches.
Match Prediction
New Zealand’s home fortress, superior form, and balanced attack make them firm favorites for a 1-0 series-clinching win inside four days, likely by innings or heavy margin exploiting Bay Oval’s seam-then-spin arc—West Indies need heroic batting to resist, but history and conditions point Kiwi dominance.