New Zealand take on West Indies in the third and final Test at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on december 18 2025. With the series already sealed at 2–0. The Kiwis are in a good place—relaxed but still keen to wrap things up with a whitewash. Their bowlers have been doing the damage all series, and getting Tom Blundell back is a nice boost. Ajaz Patel’s inclusion makes sense here too, as Bay Oval tends to offer a bit for the spinners. West Indies need a better performance with the bat. The team made starts in the second Test. The innings did not progress. Good situations were lost. Captain Roston Chase remains confident about the group. He believes the talent and fight are still present. With nothing on the line, they’ll be hoping to play without pressure and finish the tour on a high. Let’s break it down with detailed insights, team performances, pitch report, and our NZ vs WI 3rd Test prediction. Who will win today’s match?
Today’s Test Match Winning Percentage
Team Performance
New Zealand:
New Zealand head into the third and final Test in full control, having already wrapped up the three-match series 2–0. The BLACKCAPS have clearly raised their level as the series has gone on, and their bowlers have led the way.
Even while being a bowler short in the second innings of the previous Test, New Zealand knocked over the West Indies with authority. Jacob Duffy kept things tight and asked constant questions of the batters. After surviving 163.3 overs in the fourth innings of the first Test, the Windies managed just 121.2 overs across both innings in the second, showing how firmly New Zealand dictated terms.
The team’s depth continues to shine. Michael Rae impressed with pace and bounce on debut. Ajaz Patel adds variety to the attack at spin-friendly Bay Oval. An early finish has suited New Zealand as well.. Two extra days of rest and the return of Tom Blundell add freshness, experience, and leadership as the BLACKCAPS push for a clean 3–0 sweep in Mount Maunganui.
West Indies:
The pitch was not the reason West Indies lost the second Test. Their batting performance did not hold up under pressure.
Roston Chase was clear about that. The conditions were actually better for batting than expected at the Basin Reserve. A few batters got in during the first innings, but nobody pushed on. In the second innings, it was worse. No starts, partnerships, and pressure on New Zealand. The team went in expecting bounce like Christchurch, but the surface played easier. The scores should have been higher, and Chase admitted that openly. It came down to application, not conditions.
Now heading into the third and final Test, West Indies will look to reset quickly and bounce back with a stronger batting effort to finish the series on a positive note.
Pitch Report
The Bay Oval pitch usually starts with a green tinge, which will encourage fast bowlers to get the ball in their hands early. Early on, the pitch provides movement for bowlers. Later, it settles and becomes a strong batting surface with plenty of runs.
First-innings scores close to 400 have been posted here in the past. As the match progresses into days four and five, the pitch begins to wear, bringing the spinners into the game. The toss will be important—bowling first may seem the obvious choice—but historically, teams batting first have enjoyed more success at this venue.
Weather Report
- Temperature: 14.7°C
- Humidity: 78%
- Wind Speed: 5.8 KPH
- Wind Direction: E
- Rain Probability: 78%
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Probable Playing XI – NZ vs WI 3rd Test
| New Zealand Playing XI | West Indies Playing XI |
|---|---|
| Tom Latham (C) | Roston Chase (C) |
| Devon Conway | John Campbell |
| Kane Williamson | Brandon King |
| Rachin Ravindra | Kavem Hodge |
| Daryl Mitchell | Shai Hope |
| Glenn Phillips | Justin Greaves |
| Tom Blundell (WK) | Tevin Imlach (WK) |
| Michael Bracewell | Kemar Roach |
| Ajaz Patel | Jayden Seales |
| Jacob Duffy | Anderson Phillip |
| Zakary Foulkes | Ojay Shields |
Cricket Match Prediction: Team chasing are likely to win third Test match.
Today’s Cricket Betting Tips: NZ vs WI 3rd Test Match
- Who will win the toss Today: West Indies win the toss and elect to Bowl first.
- Top Batter Performance: Rachin Ravindra
- Top Bowler Performance: Anderson Phillip
- Cricket betting tips: Team chasing are favourites to win this 3rd test match.
Disclaimer: This prediction is based on expert analysis and personal judgment. It is provided for reference only. Use this information for reference only and make informed decisions independently.