Final result
New Zealand Cricket won by 9 wickets
Player of the match: JA Duffy
Result · Test Cricket
West Indies vs New Zealand Cricket
Result · Test Cricket
Venue par · 231Chase success · 49%POTM · JA Duffy
Match preview & overview
New Zealand sweep West Indies aside by 9 wickets at Basin Reserve
New Zealand beat West Indies by 9 wickets at Basin Reserve, Wellington, completing one of the more straightforward victories seen at a ground with a long history of closely contested Tests. West Indies were bowled out for 205 in the first innings and then for 128 in the second, setting New Zealand a target of just 56. The home side reached 57/1 to seal the result. JA Duffy was named Player of the Match. New Zealand won the toss and chose to field, and the decision paid off from the opening session.
The margin tells its own story. New Zealand's first-innings total of 278/9 gave them a lead of 73 runs, and when West Indies crumbled to 128 in the second innings the match was as good as done. It was the fifth time in 2025 that these two sides met in a completed Test, and the fifth time New Zealand came away with the points. West Indies have now won just 17 of 71 Tests against New Zealand across the full history of the rivalry.
The series has laid bare a significant gap between the two sides at the moment. West Indies arrived in Wellington having already lost earlier fixtures in 2025, including a defeat by 323 runs at Bay Oval. This result at Basin Reserve does nothing to suggest that gap is closing any time soon.
Pitch report & venue insights
Basin Reserve, Wellington — 79-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2003–2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
79
T20 matches hosted
231
Avg 1st-innings score
210
Avg 2nd-innings score
49%
Chase success rate
33
Avg powerplay runs
65%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
West Indies bowled out twice inside 333 runs
West Indies managed only 205 in their first innings and collapsed to 128 all out in the second, leaving New Zealand a target of just 56. It was the fifth time in as many meetings that New Zealand came out on top against this West Indies side.
Angle 02
New Zealand chased 56 with just one wicket down
Angle 03
JA Duffy named Player of the Match
Angle 04
Basin Reserve's conditions suited the bowlers throughout
Angle 05
New Zealand's head-to-head record now reads 45 wins from 71
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- With Basin Reserve's chase success rate sitting at 49 per cent across 79 matches, outright result markets can be tricky to read. In this match the fourth-innings target was so small it rendered that stat irrelevant.
- Top New Zealand batter markets may attract attention given the number of large individual scores registered at this ground historically, particularly from Williamson and Latham.
- West Indies' recent collapses suggest their batting line-up is fragile against New Zealand's seam attack, which could make innings-level dismissal markets worth monitoring in editorial terms.
- Toss markets at Basin Reserve carry some context: 69 per cent of toss winners here have chosen to field, and this match followed that pattern exactly, with New Zealand fielding first after winning the toss.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about West Indies vs New Zealand Cricket
Who won the New Zealand vs West Indies Test at Basin Reserve in December 2025?
New Zealand won by 9 wickets. They bowled West Indies out for 205 and 128, then chased the 56-run target for the loss of just one wicket, finishing on 57/1.
Who was Player of the Match in the Basin Reserve Test?
JA Duffy was named Player of the Match. New Zealand won convincingly across four innings, with their bowlers doing most of the damage in both West Indies innings.
What is the head-to-head record between New Zealand and West Indies in Tests?
New Zealand lead the all-time head-to-head 45 wins to 17, from 71 matches, with 6 ending without a result. Every completed Test between the sides in 2025 has been won by New Zealand.
Where can I watch New Zealand vs West Indies Tests in the UK?
Test cricket from New Zealand is typically broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, with live streaming available via Sky Go and NOW TV. BBC Radio's Test Match Special also provides ball-by-ball commentary for major tours.
What are the typical conditions at Basin Reserve in Wellington?
Basin Reserve has hosted 79 Test matches with an average first-innings score of 231. The ground is known for seam movement and lateral swing, particularly in morning sessions. The toss is significant: 69 per cent of winners here choose to field first.
What was West Indies' score in this Test match?
West Indies scored 205 all out in their first innings and 128 all out in their second. Both totals fell below Basin Reserve's historical average first-innings score of 231, and the second-innings collapse effectively ended any chance of a West Indies victory.
Photo credits (3)
- Kane Williamson — photo by Mark Lockett, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Trent Boult — photo by YellowMonkey/Blnguyen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Daniel Vettori — photo by Benchill, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source