Kane Williamson returned to Test cricket with a composed half-century, but his dismissal sparked a sudden New Zealand collapse on a tricky opening day against West Indies at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
Williamson Shines on Comeback but Fall Sparks Trouble
Playing his first Test since December 2024 after a long break spent playing in England, Williamson looked assured from the moment he walked in earlier than expected — prompted by Devon Conway’s dismissal off the third ball of the match.
In classic Hagley Oval conditions with heavy cloud cover and a green pitch assisting seam movement, Williamson relied on his trademark discipline. He reached his 38th Test fifty before edging Justin Greaves to Alick Athanaze at second slip for 52.
His wicket broke a strong 93-run stand with Tom Latham and opened the door for West Indies.
Collapse Begins: From 94/1 to 103/4 in Quick Time
Following Williamson’s departure, Latham fell in the very next over to Greaves for 24. Moments later, Rachin Ravindra was bowled by Jayden Seales for three. What was once a solid platform quickly dissolved as New Zealand crashed from 94/1 to 103/4.
Blundell and Will Young attempted a brief recovery but added only 17 before debutant Johann Layne claimed his maiden Test wicket, dismissing Young for 14 with yet another sharp slip catch from Greaves.
By tea, New Zealand were struggling at 128/5, with Tom Blundell unbeaten on 16 and Michael Bracewell yet to score.
West Indies Bowlers Make the Most of Helpful Conditions
The day began perfectly for West Indies. Captain Roston Chase won the toss and chose to bowl first on a grassy pitch, and his pacers delivered exactly what the surface promised.
Kemar Roach, returning at age 37, struck in his first over by removing Conway, who edged a moving delivery to Greaves at second slip. Both Roach and Seales extracted consistent swing when they pitched the ball up.
Justin Greaves emerged as the standout bowler with 2/18 and involvement in three key dismissals, while 29-year-old debutant Ojay Shield kept things tight from his end.
A Rare Three-Test Series and NZ’s Late WTC Start
This series marks the first meeting between New Zealand and the West Indies since 2020 and one of the few three-Test series for either side in recent years.
New Zealand, notably, are the only Test-playing nation yet to begin their campaign in the new World Test Championship cycle. Their only other Test cricket in 2025 came in August against Zimbabwe, a series they swept 2-0.
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