Match: 3rd T20I, West Indies Tour of New Zealand 2025
Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025
Venue: Saxton Oval, Nelson, New Zealand
Toss Time: 5:15 AM IST / 12:15 AM GMT / 1:15 PM Local
Match Start: 5:45 AM IST / 12:45 AM GMT / 1:45 PM Local
Series Status: Tied 1-1
Toss: Not yet confirmed (will be updated)
Likely Playing XIs
New Zealand (Likely XI)
According to multiple sources including SportsCafe and CricketWorld, New Zealand are likely to field:
- Tim Robinson
- Rachin Ravindra
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Hay (wk)
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- Kyle Jamieson
- Zakary Foulkes
- Jacob Duffy
- Ish Sodhi
Note: The 2nd T20I featured Devon Conway as wicket-keeper, but Mitchell Hay may get a chance. Final XI pending toss confirmation.
Sources: SportsCafe, CricketWorld, Business Standard
West Indies (Likely XI)
Based on their 2nd T20I lineup:
- Brandon King
- Alick Athanaze
- Shai Hope (c & wk)
- Roston Chase
- Ackeem Auguste
- Rovman Powell
- Jason Holder
- Romario Shepherd
- Matthew Forde
- Akeal Hosein
- Jayden Seales
Players to Watch
| Category | Player | Team | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batter | Mark Chapman | New Zealand | Scored a match-winning 78 off 28 balls in the 2nd T20I with 6 fours and 7 sixes |
| Batter | Tim Robinson | New Zealand | Consistent opener with 334 runs in 10 T20I games in 2025, averaging 47.7 at a strike rate of 143.3 |
| Batter | Rovman Powell | West Indies | Scored a blistering 45 off 16 balls in the last match; has 308 runs at a strike rate of 156.3 in 2025 |
| Batter | Shai Hope | West Indies | Captain and wicket-keeper with 541 runs at 38.6 in 2025, striking at 136.6 |
| Bowler | Ish Sodhi | New Zealand | Took 3 wickets in the 2nd T20I; has 15 wickets in 9 games this year averaging 1.5+ per game |
| Bowler | Mitchell Santner | New Zealand | Captain who claimed 3 wickets in the previous match with economical bowling |
| Bowler | Jacob Duffy | New Zealand | Leading New Zealand pacer with 28 wickets in 17 T20I games in 2025 |
| Bowler | Romario Shepherd | West Indies | Key death-overs bowler who also contributed 34 runs off 16 balls in the 2nd T20I |
Pitch and Weather Report
Saxton Oval Conditions
Saxton Oval in Nelson is known for its batting-friendly surface with true bounce that allows strokeplay and aggressive hitting. The venue has seen teams batting first win all three T20I matches played here since 2022, with an average first innings score of 201 runs.
Fast bowlers have averaged 24.7 runs per wicket compared to spinners who have conceded 27.6 runs per wicket, showing conditions favor pace bowling slightly more.
Weather Forecast
Weather forecasts predict mild temperatures around 11-16°C with high humidity of approximately 90%. The weather is expected to be cloudy but suitable for cricket with no rain predicted.
Toss Factor: Teams winning the toss are likely to bat first to set competitive totals and put scoreboard pressure on the opposition.
What to Expect
This match is perfectly set up as a series decider with both teams locked at 1-1. New Zealand bounced back with a narrow 3-run victory in the 2nd T20I at Eden Park, where they posted 207 runs before defending it successfully.
The second T20I produced one of the most dramatic finishes, with New Zealand scoring 126 runs in the last eight overs while West Indies scored 130 runs in the final nine overs, falling just three runs short. West Indies showed incredible fighting spirit, nearly chasing down 207 after being 92/6 at one stage.
Series History
New Zealand have historically dominated this matchup with 22 wins to West Indies’ 11 losses since 2006. However, recent encounters have been extremely close, showing both teams are evenly matched.
Key Battle Areas
- Powerplay Execution: Both teams need strong starts from their openers
- Middle-Overs Spin: Santner and Sodhi vs Hope, Chase, and Powell
- Death Bowling: Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy vs Rovman Powell’s finishing power
Match Prediction
Given the batting-friendly conditions at Saxton Oval and home advantage, New Zealand are slight favorites to win this match. Their bowling unit showed great composure under pressure in the 2nd T20I, and Mark Chapman’s explosive form gives them a powerful middle-order weapon.
However, West Indies have proven they can chase big totals and their never-say-die attitude in the last match shows they’re dangerous opponents. The toss could play a crucial role, with batting first being the preferred option at this venue.
Expected Result: Close contest with New Zealand having a 55-45 advantage