New Zealand vs West Indies Prediction & Match Preview – 2nd Test, Wellington
Match summary
Our preview of New Zealand vs West Indies in the 2nd Test at the Basin Reserve: series at 0-0, injuries, pitch notes and expected first-innings scores.
Match details
| Match | New Zealand vs West Indies, 2nd Test |
|---|---|
| Series | West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025 |
| Date | 10 Dec 2025 |
| Venue | Basin Reserve, Wellington |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | New Zealand |
| Toss pick | New Zealand |
Matches in this series
Match preview
New Zealand and West Indies arrive in Wellington with everything still to play for. The first Test in Christchurch ended in a draw, largely thanks to a stubborn West Indies fightback led by Justin Greaves, whose unbeaten 202 held the Black Caps at bay. Shai Hope also reached a maiden Test hundred in that match, and Kemar Roach contributed an unbeaten 58 down the order.
The hosts are short of fast-bowling options. Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Mitchell Santner are all carrying injuries, so the attack is being reshuffled. Uncapped quicks Michael Rae and Jacob Duffy are in contention alongside Blair Tickner and Zak Foulkes, with Rachin Ravindra offering a spin option. The batting leans on Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, who made 52 in the first innings, and Daryl Mitchell. Glenn Phillips comes back into the middle order after strong domestic form.
West Indies, captained by Roston Chase, remain unbeaten on the tour. Their pace group of Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip and Roach will look for early breakthroughs, with debutant Ojay Shields and spinner Jomel Warrican in support. Much may depend on whether openers John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul can give the innings a solid start. Home conditions favouring disciplined lines and swing tilt our preview slightly towards New Zealand.
The Basin Reserve surface usually carries some grass, which helps seamers find swing and movement early on, particularly under cloud or in a strong breeze. Once the new ball loses its shine the pitch tends to ease and set batters can play with more freedom. Spin normally has a limited role, although a little grip can appear later in a long contest. The opening session is likely to shape the match.
Mild, partly cloudy conditions are forecast for Wellington around 11:00 am local time, with temperatures between 18 and 20°C. A moderate westerly wind could help the bowlers with swing, and there is a slight chance of light showers, though serious interruptions look unlikely.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 280–320 | – |
| Second innings | 260–300 | – |
New Zealand
Home advantage and seam-friendly conditions at the Basin Reserve give the Black Caps a slight edge, though West Indies showed real resilience in Christchurch.
Toss pick: New Zealand
FAQ
What is the state of the series going into the 2nd Test?
The two-match series is level at 0-0 after a draw in Christchurch, so the Wellington Test will decide it.
Who starred for West Indies in the first Test?
Justin Greaves made an unbeaten 202 and Shai Hope scored his maiden Test century, while Kemar Roach added an unbeaten 58.
Which New Zealand players are dealing with injuries?
Our preview notes that Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Mitchell Santner are injury concerns, while Glenn Phillips returns to the squad.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Line-ups not available yet.
Head-to-head
Earlier meetings of New Zealand and West Indies that we covered: New Zealand 1, West Indies 0 wins.