New Zealand vs. West Indies Prediction on November 16, 2025

Match info

This is the opener of a three-match ODI (One Day International) series on the West Indies’ 2025–26 tour of New Zealand. Bilateral ODI series in the men’s cricket calendar for 2025-26 are being used by national teams to gear up for the next cycle of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

With Kane Williamson skipping the ODIs and Mitchell Santner captaining, NZ are trialing combinations—most notably the return of Matt Henry—after sweeping England 3-0 earlier this month, so roles for seamers and middle-order hitters are under the microscope. For the West Indies, it’s a reset from a mixed ODI year (big highs vs Pakistan, lows vs England) and a chance to take early control of a short series.

New Zealand vs West Indies, 1st ODI, will take place on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, which typically gives the quicks something early—extra bounce and new-ball movement—before settling into a fair ODI batting surface (avg first-innings scores hovering in the mid-240s to 250s in various samples). Expect powerplay seam, then truer stroke-play later. The kick-off is at 14:00 NZDT (New Zealand Daylight Time, local time).

Meeting statistics

Current form and & playstyle: New Zealand

“Black Caps” arrive with confidence and clarity. Against England, they defended and chased in pressure moments to clinch a 3-0 sweep, leaning on disciplined seam from Blair Tickner and friends, while the batting engine—Conway, Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell—showed just-enough tempo rather than all-out risk.

With Santner leading and Henry back, expect classical NZ ODI shapes: tight lengths with the new ball, a spinner (Santner/Bracewell) to strangle through the middle, and batting that builds through 1–35 overs before Mitchell/Chapman press at the death.

Current form & playstyle: West Indies

“Windies’” ODI year has swung between extremes. At their best—like the statement series win over Pakistan—they ride Shai Hope’s stabilizing presence with bursts from power hitters and emerging quicks (e.g., Jayden Seales) to overwhelm opponents. But England exposed their volatility early this summer with a 3-0 sweep, punishing loose lengths and collapses.

In New Zealand conditions, the Caribbeans will aim to counter the new-ball wobble—leaving well, picking straight lines—then cash in when the “Kookaburra” softens, while their own seamers hunt hard lengths in the cool Christchurch air.

Head-to-head

West Indies is a whisker ahead historically: 68 ODIs — West Indies 31 wins, New Zealand 30, No Result 7. Recent series between them have been sparse; the last bilateral ODI meetings were in 2022, and it was 2-1 for New Zealand.

Match analytics

We lean toward New Zealand to win. Home advantage at seam-friendly Hagley plus current ODI rhythm (fresh off a series sweep) nudges this toward the “Black Caps”. If NZ bowls first, its new-ball pair + Santner’s control could choke WI’s middle overs; if they bat first, a platform from Conway/Ravindra into Mitchell’s finishing feels like a par-plus 270–290 template here. In case you don’t like the length of odds for moneyline on New Zealand, try out a prop bet like top NZ bowler: Matt Henry. The best offshore betting sites are yet to set the markets up.