West Indies Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline

The rivalry between the West Indies and New Zealand has always been one of cricket’s most intriguing contrasts  Caribbean flair colliding with Kiwi discipline. Over decades, their battles have produced unforgettable performances, shifting momentum, and generational icons who shaped the game across formats. As both sides evolve with new talent in 2025, fans are revisiting this storied matchup with renewed excitement. This detailed West Indies cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline explores not just statistics, but the stories, turning points, and modern context that define this unique trans-oceanic cricket rivalry.

2025 West Indies Tour of New Zealand Schedule

Below is the full schedule for the 2025 tour, including matches played, upcoming fixtures and venues.

T20I Series Schedule & Results (5 Matches)

ODI Series Schedule & Results (3 Matches)

Test Series Schedule (3 Matches)

Updated Head-To-Head Record: West Indies Vs New Zealand

Below is the fully updated head-to-head record  summary table of West Indies vs New Zealand

These numbers reflect the most accurate and recent rivalry statistics available.

West Indies Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline: Squad Details

Here are the announced squads for 2025 for both sides, covering T20I, ODI, and the upcoming Test series: 

West Indies Squad 2025

• Test Squad (Dec 2025): Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields. 
• ODI Squad (Nov 2025): Shai Hope (c), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Johann Layne, Sherfane Rutherford, Shamar Springer, Romario Shepherd, Jayden Seales, Khary Pierre. 
• T20I Squad (Nov 2025): Shai Hope (c), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Amir Jangoo, Brandon King, Khary Pierre, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer. (Note: Gudakesh Motie left out due to bowling action review.)

New Zealand Squad 2025

• Test Squad (Dec 2025): Tom Latham (captain, wk-batter), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (returning after a break), Will Young; all-rounders: Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith; Bowlers: Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner.
• ODI Squad (Nov 2025)Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Tom Latham (wk), Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young 
• T20I Squad (Nov 2025): Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi. Matt Henry rested.

West Indies Tour of New Zealand Highlights & Early Trends

• White-ball domination by New Zealand — NZ won 4 out of the first 5 T20Is (series win 3–1) and grabbed a 2–0 lead in the ODI series by 19 Nov. Their bowling attacks and top-order consistency stood out. 
• West Indies’ fightbacks and flashes of brilliance — Despite series losses, West Indies’ batters occasionally delivered, and their aggressive style in T20s still made for competitive matches. 
• Key upcoming phase: the Test series (Dec 2025) — With 3 Tests scheduled, this will be the real test of red-ball skills, temperament and squad depth. Selection moves (such as recalling experienced pacers) indicate how seriously both sides are approaching this classic rivalry phase. 

How The West Indies Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline Evolved

1950s–1970s: West Indies’ Golden Era

During this period, the West Indies leveraged raw pace, explosive batting and match-winning talent to dominate many encounters. Their aggressive style often overwhelmed a developing New Zealand side.

1980s–1990s: New Zealand’s Rise and Home Strength

With world-class seamers and disciplined batting players like Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe, New Zealand began to balance the scales, particularly in home conditions favourable to swing and seam.

2000s: Balance and Competitive Parity

As both teams matured, the rivalry grew more evenly matched. West Indies boasted flamboyant batsmen such as Brian Lara and power-hitters like Chris Gayle; New Zealand countered with tactical bowlers (Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond) and consistent batting, making every series unpredictable.

2010s–Present: New Zealand’s Consistency, West Indies’ White-ball Threat

New Zealand solidified their status as a world-class side, especially in Tests and ODIs, with strong leadership, balanced squads and home-ground advantages. West Indies, meanwhile, remained a potent force in T20 and ODI formats, with unpredictable flair and powerful stroke plays ensuring the rivalry stayed relevant across formats.

Conclusion

The West Indies cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline in 2025 has added fresh chapters with a full tour spanning T20Is, ODIs, and upcoming Tests. With updated head-to-head stats, a complete schedule, squad data, and strong early performances from New Zealand in white-ball formats, the stakes are high for the upcoming red-ball series. For fans and cricket historians alike, this ongoing tour stands as a reaffirmation that this trans-continental rivalry remains relevant, competitive, and full of surprises.

As we move into December 2025, all eyes will be on how both teams adapt their squads, strategies and performances and whether history tilts further in favour of consistency or unpredictability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When did the West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025 start and when does it end?

The tour began on 5 November 2025 with the first T20I at Eden Park, Auckland, and is scheduled to conclude with the third Test at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, from 17–21 December 2025.

Q2. How many matches are being played in each format during this tour?

The series includes five T20Is, three ODIs, and three Test matches. As of 26 November 2025, New Zealand has already dominated the T20I and ODI series.

Q3. Who are the captains for West Indies and New Zealand in the 2025 series?

Shai Hope leads the West Indies in T20I and ODI formats, while Roston Chase captains the Test squad. Mitchell Santner is New Zealand’s T20I and ODI captain, and Tom Latham leads the Test side.

Q4. What is the updated head-to-head record between West Indies and New Zealand?

As of the 2025 series so far, West Indies and New Zealand have played 49 Tests (WI 13 wins, NZ 18 wins, 18 draws), 80 ODIs (WI 30 wins, NZ 34 wins, 15 NR / 1 tie), and 24 T20Is (WI 7 wins, NZ 15 wins, 2 NR).

Q5. Which players should fans watch in the 2025 series?

Key players include Shai Hope and Roston Chase for West Indies, and Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry for New Zealand. Rising stars like Jayden Seales (WI) and Nathan Smith (NZ) could also make significant impacts.