New Zealand vs West Indies 1st Test Predictions - Conway to carve up the West Indies attack
New Zealand is set to commence their Test series campaign against the West Indies with a balanced and quality side. Despite not having any recent red-ball form, New Zealand's lineup looks promising against a West Indies team struggling for competitive consistency. New Zealand is favored to win, with predictions for Devon Conway to be the top scorer and Matt Henry to excel in bowling. For the West Indies, Shai Hope is seen as a potential top scorer.
- Devon Conway scored 88 and 153 in the two Tests against Zimbabwe.
- Shai Hope scored 36 and 103 in the 2nd Test against India.
- Can New Zealand make it six Test wins in a row against the West Indies?
Kane Williamson has scored 9276 Test runs for New Zealand (Getty Images).
New Zealand vs West Indies Predictions
New Zealand are on a three-Test winning streak, while the West Indies have lost their last five Tests. New Zealand have a wall-balanced red-ball side that should comfortably defeat the West Indies in the 1st Test.
- New Zealand’s Devon Conway has scored 56, 47*, 49 & 90 in his last 5 innings.
- New Zealand’s Kane Williamson scored 156 in his last Test innings.
- West Indies’ Shai Hope scored 37 & 109* in his last 3 innings.
- West Indies’ John Campbell scored 115 off 199 balls in the 2nd Test against India.
Head-to-Head
New Zealand have won their last five Tests against the West Indies.
New Zealand Form
New Zealand made it three Test wins in a row when they beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs.
Opener Devon Conway is enjoying great form in all forms of the game. New Zealand's top-order all made runs against Zimbabwe, with Henry Nicholls (150*) and Rachin Ravindra (165*) also picking up centuries. Returning from almost a year out of Test cricket, Kane Williamson scored his 33rd Test century in his last innings back in December 2024, on the back of innings of 46, 93, 61, 37, 4 and 44.
Matt Henry took 5/40 and 2/16 in the 2nd Test against Zimbabwe, but he was outshone by Test debutant Zak Foulkes, who returned figures of 4/38 and 5/37.
New Zealand Test NZ vs Result Margin Aug 2025 2nd Test Zimbabwe Won Inns & 359 runs Jul 2025 1st Test Zimbabwe Won 9 wickets Dec 2024 3rd Test England Won 423 runs Dec 2024 2nd Test England Lost 323 runs Dec 2024 1st Test England Lost 8 wickets
| New Zealand | Test | NZ vs | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | 2nd Test | Zimbabwe | Won | Inns & 359 runs |
| Jul 2025 | 1st Test | Zimbabwe | Won | 9 wickets |
| Dec 2024 | 3rd Test | England | Won | 423 runs |
| Dec 2024 | 2nd Test | England | Lost | 323 runs |
| Dec 2024 | 1st Test | England | Lost | 8 wickets |
New Zealand Team News
Glenn Phillips is being rested as he builds up match fitness. The good news is that Daryl Mitchell is available for selection after recovering from injury. Blair Tickner comes in for Kyle Jamieson, who is recuperating from injury, but in-form seamers Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes are in the match-day squad.
"Kane Williamson's ability on the field speaks for itself and it will be great to have his skills as well as his leadership back in the Test group," said New Zealand head coach Rob Walter ahead of the series. "He's had a bit of time off to get himself ready for red-ball cricket, and I know he's looking forward to playing."
West Indies Form
The West Indies have lost their last five Tests on the trot to sit at the bottom of the WTC table. To their credit, those five Tests were against two of the best Test sides for the past decade – India and Australia.
In the 1st Test against India the West Indies were woeful with the bat, scoring 162 and 146 as they lost by an innings and 140 runs. Alick Athanaze's second inning 38 was the highest West Indies score of the Test. Their bowlers didn't fare much better, taking just five wickets in the Test.
In their last Test, Jomel Warrican picked up four of the eight Indian wickets to fall in the Test, returning figures of 3/98 and 1/39. Alick Athanaze top-scored in the first innings with 41, but in the second innings John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope (103) showed real class with the bat, backed by Roston Chase (40) and Justin Greaves (50*).
| West Indies | Test | NZ vs | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | 2nd Test | Zimbabwe | Won | Inns & 359 runs |
| Jul 2025 | 1st Test | Zimbabwe | Won | 9 wickets |
| Dec 2024 | 3rd Test | England | Won | 423 runs |
| Dec 2024 | 2nd Test | England | Lost | 323 runs |
| Dec 2024 | 1st Test | England | Lost | 8 wickets |
West Indies Team News
West Indies will be buoyed by their improved batting performance in the 2nd Test against India, but they will need to raise their game even more if they hope to pull off a win over New Zealand. Kemar Roach and Kavem Hodge have been recalled in place of the injured Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph. The side has, however, been put through their paces in preparation for the tour.
"New Zealand has traditionally been one of the toughest places for any touring side… The recent high-performance camp in Antigua was designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the conditions we expect to face, particularly the pace-friendly surfaces," said Miles Bascombe, Cricket West Indies' Director of Cricket.
World Test Championship Table
| Pos. | Team | P | W | L | D | T | Pts. | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 100.00 |
| 2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 75.00 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 66.67 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50.00 |
| 5 | India | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 48.15 |
| 6 | England | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 36.11 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 16.66 |
| 8 | West Indies | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| - | New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
New Zealand only start their World Test Championship schedule with this series, so their red-ball form will be rusty. They have a quality side that is well-balance and should have the beating of a West Indies side that has some powerful players but that lacks any form of competitive consistency.
Verdict
I am backing New Zealand to win. I am also backing Devon Conway to top score for New Zealand and Matt Henry to be their best bowler.
Shai Hope is a good bet to top score for the West Indies.
Shai Hope is a good bet to top score for the West Indies.
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