New Zealand Begins WTC Cycle as Favourites Against Mixed West Indies Team
New Zealand Begins WTC Cycle as Favourites Against Mixed West Indies Team
Kane Williamson has been recalled to New Zealand’s Test squad for the opening match against the West Indies, while pace bowlers Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes, and Blair Tickner join a 14-man lineup for the first Test.
The upcoming Christchurch Test against the West Indies will mark the beginning of New Zealand’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle and the much-awaited return of Kane Williamson to Test cricket. Williamson last played a Test in December 2024, and since then, he has reduced his international commitments, retired from T20Is, and watched the cricketing landscape in New Zealand shift, with plans for a domestic T20 league in 2027.
For fans, this series is a rare chance to see him in whites at home, as his future in international cricket remains uncertain.
New Zealand enter the series with a mixed form in home Tests. While they have dominated ODIs at home, winning 11 series in a row, their Test record is less impressive, with just two wins in their last seven home series. Injuries have affected several of their players, but they still start as favourites given the bigger problems facing the West Indies.
The visitors are struggling with injuries to key fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph. Kemar Roach has been recalled despite not playing a Test since January, and Ojay Shields, a former PE teacher, has been drafted in. Jayden Seales is available for this series before heading to the ILT20, but questions remain about the West Indies’ depth.
Their batting also looks uncertain John Campbell and Shai Hope showed glimpses of form against India, but adapting to New Zealand’s green pitches will be a tougher challenge. Decisions around the No. 3 spot, wicketkeeping duties, and bowling combinations add to their worries. History doesn’t help either: the West Indies last won a Test in New Zealand back in 1995.
For New Zealand, Tom Latham will be keen to bounce back. After leading the team to a famous 3-0 win in India last year, he endured a home series defeat to England and missed the Zimbabwe Tests due to injury. His last Test century came in December 2022, but recent domestic form—fifties in both the Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy—offers encouragement. Williamson’s battle with Jayden Seales, who has never bowled to him in international cricket, promises to be one of the highlights of the series.
Team selection will be interesting. With Williamson back, New Zealand must choose between Devon Conway and Will Young for a batting spot. In the bowling department, Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner are in contention, while local boy Zak Foulkes could make his debut after addressing the media before the match. Daryl Mitchell has recovered from a groin injury and is expected to return to the middle order, strengthening the batting unit.
New Zealand (probable): 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
The West Indies' team management indicated that Alick Athanaze was chosen in India because he can handle spin well. Since New Zealand is favourable for fast bowlers, they might think about bringing back Brandon King, who is good against pace, and leaving out left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican to add another fast bowler. It’s uncertain if Jamaican fast bowler Shields will make his debut at the age of 29. Captain Roston Chase can also help out with his offspin when the fast bowlers need a rest.
West Indies (probable): 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