West Indies Tour of New Zealand 2025: Pace Attack Gives Visitors Strong Start on Rain-Hit Day 1

The opening day of the first Test between West Indies and New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, brought a fascinating mix of rain interruptions, disciplined fast bowling, and a fighting fifty from Kane Williamson. Despite the weather cutting short the morning session, West Indies pacers made full use of the cloudy conditions, reducing New Zealand to 231/9 at stumps.

The Caribbean speedsters showcased excellence with the red ball, taking eight of the nine wickets to fall on a day that belonged largely to the visitors.

Rain-Interrupted Start but Early Breakthrough for Roach

West Indies captain Roston Chase opted to bowl first under heavy cloud cover—and his decision paid off instantly. Senior pacer Kemar Roach, returning to the Test XI, struck in the very first over, dismissing Devon Conway with a beautiful ball that moved away late.

The early joy, however, was followed by frustration as more than an hour was lost to rain. When play briefly resumed, only a few overs were bowled before another rain interruption halted the game. By Lunch, New Zealand were 17/1 in 8 overs, with Roach already looking threatening.

Williamson Stands Tall After Lunch

The post-lunch session brought clear skies—and with it, the classical elegance of Kane Williamson.

He began with:

• A punchy cut shot behind square

• A classy extra-cover drive

• A signature on-drive

These early boundaries set the tone for his innings. Williamson looked in full control, rotating strike and defending solidly alongside Tom Latham.

His half-century—the 38th of his Test career—once again highlighted why he remains one of the finest Test batters of the modern era.

But just when it seemed New Zealand were stabilizing, the West Indies pacers struck back.

Greaves Triggers Middle-Order Collapse

Justin Greaves, who had already taken a sharp catch earlier, delivered with the ball too.

Key moments from Greaves:

• He squared up Williamson, inducing an outside edge to second slip

• In his next over, he found Tom Latham’s edge, caught behind

These wickets completely shifted the momentum.
New Zealand, once comfortable, suddenly found themselves wobbling.

Seales and Layne Join the Party

The session worsened for the hosts as:

• Jayden Seales went around the wicket and bowled Rachin Ravindra with a peach that zipped past the outside edge

• Johan Layne, the debutant, picked up his maiden Test wicket, dismissing Will Young with a delivery that nipped in and caused indecision

At Tea, New Zealand had collapsed from 94/1 to 128/5, a stunning turnaround orchestrated by relentless West Indies fast bowling.

Shields Impresses on Debut

After Tea, debutant Ojay Shields joined the wicket-takers with an inswinging delivery that crashed into Tom Blundell’s stumps. The dismissal highlighted his pace, discipline, and ability to move the ball.

Shields’ figures—2/34—reflect an excellent start to his international career.

Bracewell-Smith Partnership Rescues NZ Briefly

In the final session, Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith counterattacked, stitching together a 52-run stand for the 7th wicket.

Their positive approach forced West Indies on the defensive momentarily:

• Bracewell played confidently off the back foot

• Smith looked assured against both pace and spin

But their resistance was short-lived.

Chase Breaks Through; Short-Ball Trap Ends Bracewell’s Fight

Roston Chase broke the partnership when Smith misread the flight and flicked one straight to short mid-wicket, where John Campbell took a diving catch.

Soon after, a well-executed short-ball plan by Shields sent Bracewell back. The batter mistimed his pull, with Tagenarine Chanderpaul taking a comfortable catch at deep mid-wicket.

Roach Returns to Finish Strong

Before bad light ended the day early, Roach struck again with a bouncer that Matt Henry pulled straight to deep square leg. His return figures of 2/47 showed exactly why he remains one of West Indies’ finest seamers.

Stumps Day 1: New Zealand on the Back Foot

New Zealand ended the day at 231/9, surviving only because of the lower-order contributions. West Indies, meanwhile, will feel they dominated conditions and executed their plans perfectly.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 231/9
Kane Williamson 52, Michael Bracewell 47
Ojay Shields 2–34, Justin Greaves 2–35, Kemar Roach 2–47

Key Highlights of Day 1

• West Indies pacers took 8 of 9 wickets

• Roach dismissed Conway early and later removed Henry

• Kane Williamson scored a classy 52

• Mid-innings collapse saw NZ drop from 94/1 to 128/5

• Debutants Ojay Shields and Johan Layne impressed

• Bracewell and Nathan Smith added a crucial 52 runs

• Bad light ended play prematurely

FAQs

1. Who was the top scorer for New Zealand on Day 1?

Kane Williamson with 52 runs.

2. Which West Indies bowlers performed the best?

Ojay Shields (2/34), Justin Greaves (2/35), and Kemar Roach (2/47) stood out.

3. How many overs were possible on Day 1?

A total of 70 overs were bowled due to rain interruptions and bad light.

4. Why did New Zealand collapse after a strong start?

Precise, disciplined fast bowling and consistent pressure from the West Indies pacers.

5. What is the match situation at stumps?

New Zealand are 231/9, giving West Indies the upper hand going into Day 2.