Match overview
New Zealand Cricket beat West Indies Cricket by 9 runs at Saxton Oval on 9 November 2025, defending a total of 177 for 9 in a T20 international that stayed competitive until the final overs. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat, reached a strong position through the middle phase of their innings, then lost 6 wickets for 35 runs in the death to set a below-par total by the venue's own standards. West Indies kept pace early but collapsed through the middle overs, losing 6 wickets for 69 runs between overs 7 and 15, and despite a late rally could not bridge the gap. IS Sodhi was named Player of the Match.
The match was tighter than the margin suggests. West Indies powered to 46 for 2 in their powerplay, one run fewer than New Zealand's 47 for 1, which kept the chase well alive. Their death-overs effort of 53 for 2 showed there was batting to come, but by then the target was beyond reach. New Zealand's middle-overs discipline, 95 runs for 2 wickets in their own innings against West Indies' 69 for 6, proved the critical difference across both halves of the game.
Venue and conditions
Saxton Oval has hosted 22 matches at this level, and the numbers tell a story worth noting for context. The average first-innings score is 223 and the average second-innings score is 212, which makes both teams' totals look subdued. New Zealand's 177 sat 46 runs below the venue's first-innings average, and West Indies' 168 was 44 below the second-innings average. Either conditions were tougher than the surface typically offers, or both batting line-ups failed to capitalise at key moments.
The venue's average powerplay score is 51 runs, and both sides came in just under that: New Zealand 47, West Indies 46. The average death-overs score is 50, and West Indies exceeded it with 53 in their chase, while New Zealand managed only 35. The toss winner chooses to field 48 per cent of the time here, so New Zealand's decision to bat first after winning the toss was slightly against the grain. Chasers at Saxton Oval have won only 45 per cent of matches, which gave New Zealand the marginal structural advantage in the second half.
How to watch
New Zealand versus West Indies T20 internationals are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, with live streaming available via Sky Go for existing subscribers and NOW TV for day-pass access. Sky Sports typically covers bilateral T20I series from both New Zealand and the Caribbean, so future matches in this series should appear on those platforms. Check the Sky Sports app or website for confirmed broadcast slots in UK time.
Recent form
New Zealand arrive at this result in reasonable shape, having won four of their last five matches. Three consecutive victories against England preceded this series, and the only blemish was a loss to West Indies earlier in the same 2025 schedule. West Indies had won three in a row against Bangladesh before facing New Zealand, so they came into the series with genuine momentum.
The pattern in 2025 reflects the wider head-to-head picture. New Zealand have beaten West Indies by 323 runs at Bay Oval, by 9 wickets at Basin Reserve, by 4 wickets at Seddon Park, and by 5 wickets at McLean Park across completed meetings this year, alongside one no-result at Hagley Oval. West Indies' solitary win in that run at least confirms they are capable of beating this New Zealand side on a given day. Whether they can string results together remains the question heading into any further fixtures in the series.
