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West Indies Opts to Bowl in First Test Against New Zealand

Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand – west Indies Captain Roston Chase Won the Toss and Elected to Bowl First Against New Zealand in the Inaugural Test Match of the Series.

What strategic adjustments could West Indies make to counter New Zealand’s aggressive pace attack in the second Test?

New Zealand vs West Indies 2025/26: First Test Match Report (December 02-06, 2025)

Match Summary: Wellington Dominance

The first Test between New Zealand and West Indies concluded on December 6th, 2025, at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, with New Zealand securing a comprehensive victory.The Black Caps defeated the Windies by an innings and 142 runs, showcasing a dominant performance with both bat and ball. This match marked the beginning of the two-Test series, with New Zealand establishing a significant psychological advantage. Key highlights included Kane Williamson’s masterful century and Neil Wagner’s relentless pace bowling.

First Innings: New Zealand Sets the Tone

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat, capitalizing on favorable batting conditions. The opening partnership of Tom Latham and Devon Conway laid a solid foundation, adding 85 runs before Conway fell for a well-made 42.

* Kane Williamson’s Brilliance: Kane Williamson anchored the innings with a sublime 168, his 30th Test century.His innings was characterized by elegant strokeplay and astute running between the wickets.

* Contributions from the Middle Order: Henry Nicholls (75) and Daryl Mitchell (62) provided valuable support, extending New zealand’s first innings total to a commanding 482 all out.

* West Indies Bowling Struggles: The West Indies bowling attack struggled to consistently trouble the New Zealand batsmen. Kemar Roach was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 85 runs. Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales proved expensive.

Second Innings: West Indies Collapses

Facing a substantial first-innings deficit, west Indies’ second innings got off to a disastrous start.The New Zealand pace attack, led by Neil Wagner and Tim Southee, exploited the conditions brilliantly.

* Wagner’s Fire: Neil Wagner’s aggressive bowling yielded 5 wickets for 68 runs, dismantling the West Indies batting lineup. his short-pitched deliveries proved particularly effective.

* Top Order Failure: The West Indies top order crumbled, with captain Kraigg Brathwaite (28) being the only batsman to offer any resistance. Kirk McKenzie (15) and Shamarh Brooks (12) failed to convert starts.

* All Out for 128: West Indies were bundled out for a paltry 128, handing New Zealand a significant lead. The innings highlighted the fragility of the West Indies batting in challenging conditions.

Third Innings: New Zealand Enforces the Follow-On

New Zealand opted to enforce the follow-on, aiming to wrap up the match quickly. The decision proved astute as the West Indies batsmen once again struggled to cope with the New Zealand attack.

* Southee’s Early Strikes: Tim Southee struck early blows, removing both openers cheaply.

* Spin Support from Patel: ajaz Patel, the left-arm orthodox spinner, chipped in with crucial wickets, exploiting the rough patches created by the fast bowlers.

* West Indies’ Second Collapse: The Windies were again dismissed for a low score, managing only 112 runs in their second innings. This sealed a comprehensive innings victory for New zealand.

Key Performers & Stats

Key stats:

* New Zealand Total: 482 all out

* West Indies First Innings: 128 all out

* West Indies Second Innings: 112 all out

* Man of the Match: Kane Williamson (for his outstanding century)

Pitch Report & Conditions

The Basin Reserve pitch offered a good balance between bat and ball, with seam movement available for the bowlers.Overcast conditions on the first two days favored the seamers, while the pitch flattened out slightly on subsequent days. However, the persistent bounce and lateral movement made batting challenging throughout the match.

Tactical insights

* New Zealand’s Aggressive Approach: New zealand’s aggressive bowling strategy, particularly Wagner’s short-pitched barrage, proved highly effective in unsettling the West Indies batsmen.

* West Indies’ Defensive Tactics: West indies adopted a largely defensive approach, which ultimately proved insufficient against new Zealand’s relentless attack.

* Follow-On Decision: the decision to enforce the follow-on was a masterstroke by New Zealand captain Tim Southee, allowing his team to capitalize on their dominant position.

Looking Ahead: Second Test Preview

The second Test is scheduled to be played at the hagley Oval in Christchurch, starting on December 10th, 2025. West Indies will need to address their batting frailties and find a way to counter the New Zealand pace attack if they are to have any chance