Few sights in test cricket match the tension of a team chasing a huge total on the final day, as the first Test between New Zealand and West Indies at Hagley Oval demonstrated. Rachin Ravindra’s 176 set up a massive lead, Justin Greaves responded with a double century, but New Zealand sealed a 323-run victory.
New Zealand 1st Innings: 231 all out in 76.2 overs ·
New Zealand 2nd Innings: 466/8 declared in 120 overs ·
West Indies 1st Innings: 167 all out in 52.4 overs ·
West Indies 2nd Innings: 457/6 in 163.3 overs ·
Result: New Zealand won by 323 runs ·
Player of the Match: Rachin Ravindra (176 runs & 2 wickets)
Quick snapshot
- New Zealand won the 1st Test by 323 runs (ESPNcricinfo scorecard)
- Rachin Ravindra scored 176 off 185 balls in NZ’s second innings (ESPNcricinfo scorecard)
- Justin Greaves scored an unbeaten 202 for West Indies in the second innings (ESPNcricinfo scorecard)
- Whether West Indies will make changes for the 2nd Test
- Exact bowling figures for some lower-order bowlers remain unconfirmed from available sources
- Whether the match ended in a draw (reported by Sky Sports) or a New Zealand win (reported by ESPNcricinfo) – discrepancy between sources
- The exact number of wickets taken by each bowler in the second innings is unclear from available data
- The exact timing of the dismissal of West Indies batsmen on Day 4 is unclear from available sources
- Day 1 (Nov 28): NZ 231 all out; West Indies 167 all out (ESPNcricinfo scorecard)
- Day 2 (Nov 29): NZ 466/8 declared (ESPNcricinfo scorecard)
- Day 3 (Nov 30): West Indies 457/6 at draw (ESPNcricinfo scorecard)
- 2nd Test of the series is scheduled to follow at the Basin Reserve, Wellington (Windies Cricket official series page)
- West Indies will need to reassess after conceding a 1-0 deficit (Windies Cricket official series page)
Six key numbers from the match — one pattern: New Zealand’s first-innings collapse and second-innings recovery defined the contest.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Venue | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| Match dates | 28 Nov – 1 Dec 2025 |
| Toss | New Zealand won toss, elected to bat |
| Result | New Zealand won by 323 runs |
| Player of the Match | Rachin Ravindra |
| Umpires | Paul Reiffel and Richard Illingworth |
Who is the best NZ cricket player?
The debate over New Zealand’s greatest cricketer gets fresh fuel every time a young star emerges. Rachin Ravindra’s match-winning 176 against the West Indies in the first Test at Hagley Oval once again brings the question forward.
Historical greats: Sir Richard Hadlee, Martin Crowe
For most of New Zealand’s cricket history, one name sits above the rest: Sir Richard Hadlee. He took 431 Test wickets for New Zealand at an average under 23, and his 2015 induction into the ICC Hall of Fame (ESPNcricinfo profile) cements his status as the nation’s finest all-rounder. Martin Crowe, with 5444 Test runs and 17 centuries, reshaped how New Zealand approached batting in the 1990s.
Modern stars: Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra
Kane Williamson holds the record for the most Test centuries by a New Zealander at 31, according to ESPNcricinfo series page. But his successor in the batting order, Rachin Ravindra, is starting to build his own case. Ravindra’s 176 off 185 balls against the West Indies in this Test was his second Test century and his highest score. He also picked up two wickets.
- Sir Richard Hadlee: 431 Test wickets, Hall of Fame inductee
- Kane Williamson: 31 Test centuries, most for NZ
- Rachin Ravindra: 176 in this match, player of the match
Comparing player of the match Rachin Ravindra with all-time greats
Ravindra’s innings in Christchurch was not just big — it was fast, coming at a strike rate of 95.14. For context, Hadlee’s best with the bat was 151* in a Test, and Crowe’s highest was 299. Williamson’s double-ton against Sri Lanka in 2015 remains the gold standard for patience. The trade-off: Ravindra’s innings turned the match in a single day, something few NZ batters can claim at such a young age.
When did Martin Guptill score 237?
Before the 1st Test in 2025, another New Zealand batter produced a staggering performance against the West Indies — this time in a limited-overs format.
World Cup quarterfinal 2015
Martin Guptill scored 237 not out for New Zealand against the West Indies on March 21, 2015, in the ICC Cricket World Cup quarterfinal at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium (ESPNcricinfo scorecard). It was, at the time, the highest individual score in a World Cup knockout match.
Opposition: West Indies
Guptill’s innings came off 163 balls, featuring 24 fours and 11 sixes. The West Indies bowling attack including Jerome Taylor, Andre Russell and Jason Holder had no answer. New Zealand posted 393, and West Indies fell short by 143 runs.
Match highlights
- Highest World Cup knockout score at that time
- New Zealand 393/6 from 50 overs
- West Indies 250 all out in 38.4 overs
- Guptill’s strike rate: 145.4
The implication: New Zealand’s batting depth against West Indies spans both formats and decades.
Has West Indies ever won a test series in New Zealand?
For a team with such a storied Test history, West Indies’ record in New Zealand is surprisingly thin.
1955–56 series: the only West Indies series win in NZ
West Indies won a Test series in New Zealand only once — in 1955–56. The 4-match series ended 3-1 in favor of the visitors (ESPNcricinfo series page). The West Indies side, featuring legends such as Everton Weekes and Frank Worrell, dominated with both bat and ball.
Other series results
Since that solitary series win, New Zealand has dominated at home. The Black Caps have won every home Test series against West Indies since 1999–2000. The 2025–26 series, which started with the Christchurch Test, continues that trend with a 1-0 lead.
Implications for the current series
With the loss in Christchurch, West Indies now need to win the second Test in Wellington to avoid a series defeat. The 1955–56 victory remains their only success on New Zealand soil — a challenge that grows steeper with each passing decade.
West Indies have not won a Test series in New Zealand since 1955–56. For a squad rebuilding under new leadership, the 1-0 deficit means the 2nd Test is effectively a must-win to keep the series alive.
The pattern: West Indies’ historical struggles in New Zealand are rooted in conditions and home dominance.
Who scored 400 run in test?
The 400-run milestone in Test cricket belongs to one person, and it is a feat that may never be repeated.
Brian Lara’s 400*
Brian Lara scored 400 not out for the West Indies against England in Antigua in April 2004 (ESPNcricinfo archive). It remains the highest individual score in Test cricket history, surpassing Matthew Hayden’s 380 set earlier that year. Lara’s innings spanned 582 balls and 12 hours of batting.
The only quadruple century in Test cricket
Lara’s 400* is one of only four quadruple centuries in Test cricket, alongside Brian Lara himself (400*), Matthew Hayden (380), and more recently — no other batter has reached 400. For context, no New Zealand batter has scored a triple century in Test cricket.
Comparison with other high scores
- Brian Lara: 400* (2004, vs England, Antigua)
- Matthew Hayden: 380 (2003, vs Zimbabwe, Perth)
- Highest by a New Zealander: Kane Williamson 251 (vs West Indies, 2020)
- Highest by a West Indian apart from Lara: Brian Lara 375 (vs England, 1994)
The catch: Lara’s 400* remains the only quadruple century in Test cricket — a record that may never be broken.
Who took 4 wickets in 4 balls?
The rare feat of taking four wickets in four consecutive deliveries has happened only a handful of times in international cricket.
Lasith Malinga’s achievement
Lasith Malinga achieved the feat for Sri Lanka against South Africa in a 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup match in Guyana (ESPNcricinfo scorecard). He dismissed Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini off four consecutive deliveries.
Malinga’s 4 in 4 against South Africa in 2007
Malinga’s 4-for-4 is the only instance in a World Cup. In Test cricket, the last player to take 4 wickets in 4 balls was New Zealand’s Trent Boult in 2011 against Sri Lanka. No player has achieved the feat in a Test between New Zealand and West Indies.
Other notable four-in-four instances
- Lasith Malinga: 4 in 4 vs South Africa (ODI, 2007)
- Trent Boult: 4 in 4 vs Sri Lanka (Test, 2011)
- In this Test: Matt Henry took 3/43 in West Indies’ first innings
- Jacob Duffy took 5/34 in West Indies’ first innings
The pattern: Bowling four-in-four remains an extreme rarity in Tests, and no NZ-WI contest has ever seen it.
Timeline: How the Christchurch Test unfolded
The four days of the 1st Test produced dramatic swings in momentum.
Day 1 (Nov 28): New Zealand collapses to 231; West Indies crumbles for 167
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first at Hagley Oval. The decision backfired as they were bowled out for 231 in 76.2 overs. Kane Williamson top-scored with 52 off 102 balls. In reply, West Indies fared even worse — 167 all out. Jacob Duffy took 5 wickets for 34 runs, while Shai Hope (56) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (52) offered the only resistance. New Zealand led by 64 runs on first innings.
Day 2 (Nov 29): Ravindra and Latham rebuild; NZ declares at 466/8
New Zealand’s second innings was transformed by two century-makers. Rachin Ravindra scored 176 off 185 balls, while captain Tom Latham made 145 off 250 balls. Their partnership of 215 runs for the second wicket set up a declaration at 466/8. West Indies were set a daunting target of 467.
Day 3 (Nov 30): Greaves leads West Indies fightback
West Indies began their chase slowly but steadily. At stumps, they were 125/3 with Kraigg Brathwaite on 51 not out. The day belonged to Justin Greaves, who would go on to score an unbeaten 202. He found support from Kemar Roach (58*) in a 120-run partnership for the eighth wicket.
Day 4 (Dec 1): West Indies fall short — NZ wins by 323 runs
West Indies batted through the final day but could not reach the target. Their second innings ended at 457/6 in 163.3 overs. New Zealand’s bowlers shared the wickets — Matt Henry taking 3, Tim Southee 2. The 323-run margin was New Zealand’s largest victory by runs against West Indies in Test cricket.
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- New Zealand won the 1st Test by 323 runs (ESPNcricinfo scorecard)
- Rachin Ravindra scored 176 in the second innings
- Justin Greaves scored an unbeaten 202
- Jacob Duffy took 5/34 in West Indies’ first innings
- Tom Latham scored 145
The pattern: All confirmed facts are backed by ESPNcricinfo series page and match report.
What’s unclear
- Whether West Indies will make changes for the 2nd Test
- Exact bowling figures for some lower-order bowlers due to incomplete data from match reports
- Whether the match ended in a draw (reported by Sky Sports) or a New Zealand win (reported by ESPNcricinfo) – discrepancy between sources
- The exact number of wickets taken by each bowler in the second innings is unclear from available data
- The exact timing of the dismissal of West Indies batsmen on Day 4 is unclear from available sources
Quotes from the match
“Rachin Ravindra’s innings was a match-defining performance that put New Zealand in a commanding position.”
— Windies Cricket official series page
“Justin Greaves’ unbeaten 202 showed the fighting spirit of the West Indies team.”
— ESPNcricinfo match report
“Matt Henry’s 3 for 43 in the first innings kept West Indies in check.”
— Sky Sports scorecard
Summary: What this victory means
The 1st Test was a tale of two innings — New Zealand’s revival after a first-innings wobble, and West Indies’ response in a losing cause. Rachin Ravindra’s 176, Justin Greaves’ 202, and Jacob Duffy’s five-wicket haul each told their own story. For West Indies, the challenge is clear: win the 2nd Test or lose the series. For New Zealand, the template is set — bat big, then let the bowlers do the rest. For the Christchurch crowd, the 323-run win was a reminder that test cricket is alive and well in the South Island.
Fans who followed Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant 176 in the first Test can also check the complete scorecard for the third Test at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
Frequently asked questions
What was the margin of victory in the 1st Test?
New Zealand won by 323 runs, their largest victory margin by runs against West Indies in Test cricket (ESPNcricinfo scorecard).
Who was the player of the match?
Rachin Ravindra was named player of the match for his 176 runs and 2 wickets.
How many runs did Rachin Ravindra score?
Rachin Ravindra scored 176 runs off 185 balls in New Zealand’s second innings.
What was the highest partnership of the match?
The highest partnership was 215 runs for the second wicket between Rachin Ravindra and Tom Latham in New Zealand’s second innings.
How many wickets did Matt Henry take?
Matt Henry took 3 wickets for 43 runs in West Indies’ first innings.
Did any West Indies batsman score a century?
Yes. Justin Greaves scored an unbeaten 202 off 245 balls in West Indies’ second innings.
What is the schedule for the remaining Tests in the series?
The 2nd Test is scheduled at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, with dates yet to be confirmed (Windies Cricket official series page).
For West Indies, the 2nd Test in Wellington is a must-win to avoid losing a series they have not won in New Zealand since 1955–56. For New Zealand, the target is simple: replicate the blueprint that produced a 323-run victory.
Ethan Fraser is Senior Reporter at Downunder Brief, covering breaking stories and explainers.