New Zealand vs West Indies: 3rd Test Match Review – Mount Maunganui, December 18-22, 2025

The third Test between the West Indies and New Zealand kicked off at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, and New Zealand bossed day one. This match counts toward the ICC World Test Championship 2025/26, so both teams are keen to do well. New Zealand won the coin toss and decided to bat – a move that paid off right away. Word is, the Bay Oval pitch usually helps batsmen early on.

New Zealand’s Great Batting

New Zealand’s openers looked really skilled and calm, setting up a great first innings. Captain Tom Latham came out strong, playing a mix of attack and defense to score 137 off 246 balls, including 15 fours and a six. He really showed how to open the batting, handling the West Indies’ fast bowlers.

But Devon Conway was the star, smashing 178 not out from 279 balls, hitting 25 fours. He timed the ball perfectly and looked really focused. He handled both short and full balls really well. New Zealand finished the day at 334/1 after 90 overs, with Jacob Duffy at 9 not out. That huge partnership between Latham and Conway put New Zealand in a strong position.

New Zealand scored steadily, reaching 50 in under 15 overs. Latham got to his 50 off 102 balls, and Conway reached his 89 – a good mix of caution and aggression. They got to 100 in just over 30 overs, with Conway hitting some lovely shots with perfect timing. By tea, they were 216/0, and Conway reached his century off 147 balls. Latham also got his century, keeping the innings steady.

West Indies’ Bowling

Even though New Zealand were on top, the West Indies bowlers tried hard to break the partnership. Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip, and Justin Greaves bowled some good spells, trying to trouble the Kiwi batsmen. Roach bowled 19 overs, conceding 63 runs and taking one wicket. The others kept things tight, not letting New Zealand score too freely. Captain Roston Chase also bowled 19 overs without a wicket – showing how well the New Zealand batsmen played.

The West Indies even used DRS to challenge the umpire, and they succeeded in getting Latham out in the 78th over, ending that big 323-run partnership. But by then, New Zealand were pretty much in control, thanks to Conway and Latham.

How the Day Went

The day had some key moments. Early on, Latham and Conway took their time to get used to the conditions, then punished any bad balls. When New Zealand reached 150, Conway already had 100 off 147 balls, with 17 fours. The crowd cheered them during the breaks, appreciating their skill. New Zealand’s careful approach meant they were building a solid base for a big score.

New Zealand got to 200 in 53 overs, with both openers still going strong. Latham played some aggressive shots, while Conway was all about timing, making it hard for the West Indies bowlers. By tea, both batsmen had hit big scores. Latham’s century had nine fours and a six, while Conway’s 150 included 24 fours.

Towards the end of the day, New Zealand scored quickly. They took the new ball in the 83rd over and kept the runs coming, taking advantage of the West Indies’ field positions. By the end of play, New Zealand were 334/1, with Conway unbeaten on 178 and Jacob Duffy on 9 – a great position for day two.

West Indies’ Problem

The West Indies have a tough job now, having bowled for ages without much luck. They couldn’t break that opening partnership until late in the day, showing how good the Kiwi batsmen were. Chase, Seales, Roach, Phillip, and Greaves bowled well, but New Zealand’s calm batting made it hard for them to get wickets. The West Indies need to come back with a new plan, trying to build pressure and get early wickets.

The Pitch and the Weather

The Bay Oval is proving to be a good pitch for batting, with true bounce. The weather was perfect for batting, with clear skies. The crowd was buzzing, enjoying the cricket.

Umpires and Officials

The umpires did a good job, making sure the game was fair. They used DRS to make sure they got the decisions right.

What’s Next

New Zealand are in charge at 334/1. Now it’s about building on that first innings, with Conway and the other batsmen looking to score big. The West Indies need early wickets to stop New Zealand from getting too far ahead. It should be a great few days of cricket.

To sum it up

New Zealand’s openers, Devon Conway and Tom Latham, had a great day in Mount Maunganui. Their big partnership has set the game up for New Zealand. The West Indies bowlers tried hard, but New Zealand were just too good. With 334/1, New Zealand are in control.