Match overview
New Zealand beat West Indies by 8 wickets at University Oval on 13 November 2025, completing the chase with comfort. West Indies were bowled out for 140, and New Zealand knocked off the target of 141 losing only 2 wickets. JA Duffy took the Player of the Match award. The result was effectively settled inside the powerplay of the New Zealand reply, when their openers put on 61 without loss in the first 6 overs.
West Indies' innings never recovered from a dreadful powerplay. Four wickets went down in the first 6 overs for just 47 runs, and the middle phase offered little improvement: another 4 wickets for 55 runs. The final two wickets fell in the death overs, adding 38, but the innings closed at 140 all out. University Oval's average first-innings score across 48 matches is 207, so West Indies finished 67 runs short of par.
New Zealand's reply was a contrast in clarity. Sixty-one runs without loss in the powerplay, against a venue average of 39, removed any doubt early. The middle overs cost 2 wickets but produced 73 runs, and the remaining 7 runs came without further loss. New Zealand reached 141 for 2 with 8 balls to spare.
Venue and conditions
University Oval has now hosted 48 matches in this data set. The average first-innings score is 207 and the average second-innings score is 197, suggesting the surface is generally batter-friendly. Both sides scored below those averages on the day, with West Indies' 140 the more glaring shortfall.
Teams winning the toss have chosen to field 72% of the time at this venue, and the chase success rate sits at 56%. New Zealand's decision to field after winning the toss aligned with both patterns, and their bowlers quickly validated that choice by dismantling the top order. The average powerplay contribution at this ground is 39 runs; West Indies managed 47 but at the cost of 4 wickets, leaving their middle order with too much to do.
In the New Zealand innings, the powerplay and middle overs both ran comfortably above venue averages. The death overs were almost irrelevant: only 7 runs were needed and none were lost. For any future fixture here, first-innings powerplay wickets look like the key variable based on how this match unfolded.
How to watch
In the UK, New Zealand and West Indies T20 internationals are broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket. Subscribers can watch live on Sky Sports or stream via Sky Go. A NOW TV day pass gives access for those without a full Sky subscription. Check the Sky Sports website or app for confirmed broadcast times, and note that matches in New Zealand typically start in the early morning UK time.
Recent form
West Indies arrived at this fixture with a mixed run of results, though the pattern against New Zealand specifically has been difficult. In the five most recent completed matches between these sides, West Indies won just once, with that win coming against Bangladesh rather than New Zealand. New Zealand's two defeats in that same recent window both came against West Indies, but their wins by 323 runs, 9 wickets, 4 wickets, and 5 wickets demonstrate the depth of their advantage on balance.
New Zealand's broader 2025 form backs up the head-to-head numbers. A win over England sits alongside multiple victories against West Indies, and the consistency of their batting unit at this venue is the standout feature of this series. West Indies will need a significant top-order improvement to change the dynamic in any remaining fixtures.
