New Zealand vs West Indies Preview | Decisive 3rd T20I in Nelson to go ahead in series

Today at 10:01 PM

The third T20I of the West Indies tour of New Zealand is set to take place at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Sunday, promising yet another thrilling game in the series. Both sides have won a game each, with the third set to test the depth, form, and adaptability of players in fast-paced conditions.

‌With the series tied 1-1, New Zealand and West Indies will go head-to-head in a high-stakes T20I where momentum, strategic use of powerplays, and death overs execution could define the winner. New Zealand skipper Tim Robinson will rely on the likes of Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, and Mitchell Santner to provide both stability and aggressive firepower at the top and middle order. The Kiwi pace attack, spearheaded by Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy, will look to exploit any early swing and seam movement, while Ish Sodhi could be pivotal in the middle overs with his spin variations.

West Indies, under Jason Holder, have demonstrated formidable batting depth with Shai Hope, Brandon King, and Rovman Powell anchoring innings, while all-rounders Roston Chase and Ackeem Auguste offer crucial balance. Their bowling attack, including Romario Shepherd and Jayden Seales, will aim to restrict NZ’s run-scoring in the powerplays and apply pressure through the middle overs.

Given the series scenario, both teams will prioritize strategic use of openers in the initial overs and aggressive run-chases, with the match likely decided by marginal differences in strike rotation and boundary hitting efficiency.

Form Guide

New Zealand’s form has been inconsistent in recent T20Is. They bounced back with a thrilling 3-run win in the second T20I against West Indies, but earlier results in the series and against England highlight vulnerabilities in defending totals and closing out matches. Key performances have emerged from Mark Chapman and Mitchell Santner, who have provided critical contributions under pressure.

West Indies entered the series on the back of dominant wins in Bangladesh and continued their strong run with a narrow loss and a subsequent win against New Zealand. Their recent form indicates a team confident in chasing totals and capitalizing on early breakthroughs with the ball. Shai Hope and Brandon King have been central to sustaining momentum at the top of the order.

New Zealand: NR L NR L W

West Indies: W W W W L

New Zealand vs West Indies Head-to-Head

Historically, New Zealand have had the upper hand in T20I encounters against West Indies, with a record of 22 wins to 11 losses since their first meeting in 2006. While past results indicate Kiwi dominance, the West Indies have often posed a threat in high-pressure run-chases, making recent series tight affairs. The first two T20Is of this 2025 series have further emphasized the evenly matched nature of both sides, setting the stage for a climactic decider at Saxton Oval.

New Zealand 22-11 West Indies

Pitch and Weather

Saxton Oval in Nelson is known for its batting-friendly surface with true bounce, allowing strokeplay and aggressive hitting in the powerplays. Spinners can exploit slight turn in the middle overs, but early seam movement under overcast conditions may favor the bowling side. Toss-winning captains will likely prefer batting first to set competitive totals and put scoreboard pressure on the opposition.

Weather forecasts for November 9, 2025, predict mild temperatures around 11-16°C with high humidity (~90%) and a low chance of rain. Light cloud cover may slightly aid seamers in the initial overs, but conditions are expected to remain largely favorable for scoring.

Team News

New Zealand will welcome Kyle Jamieson and Ish Sodhi back into the T20I setup after their recent absence, with Tim Seifert ruled out due to a fractured finger sustained earlier in the series. Mitchell Hay has been called up as a replacement, adding depth to the middle order. Captain Tim Robinson will continue to lead the side, aiming to consolidate a winning formula after their narrow victory in the second T20I.

West Indies have retained a largely unchanged squad following their win in the second T20I. Matthew Forde returns to the squad after recovery, while the inclusion of all-rounders like Ackeem Auguste ensures balance in both batting and bowling departments. Shai Hope remains captain, leading a side that has demonstrated strong form in recent matches.

New Zealand (Probable XI): Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Hay, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi

West Indies (Probable XI): Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Shai Hope (c), Ackeem Auguste, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Forde, Jayden Seales

Broadcasting Platforms

The 3rd T20I between New Zealand and West Indies will be widely available for live viewing. Digital streaming is accessible via Fancode app and website, with television coverage on regional sports networks depending on the territory. Live ball-by-ball updates and detailed commentary are also available on Cricbuzz and ESPN Cricinfo platforms.