🔥 Key Highlights
Kemar Roach returns to strengthen an inexperienced fast-bowling unit for a challenging New Zealand tour.
Ojay Shields earns his first Test call-up, bringing fresh pace to the lineup.
Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph ruled out for the rest of 2025 due to ongoing rehabilitation.
Kavem Hodge returns after strong performances against pace.
Team prepares through a high-performance camp in Antigua before heading to pace-friendly New Zealand pitches.
West Indies Test Squad Named for New Zealand Series (Dec 1–21, 2025)
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – In a major announcement ahead of the highly anticipated West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has confirmed its 15-member Test squad for the three-match series in Christchurch, Wellington, and Mount Maunganui.
With both Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph unavailable due to injury rehabilitation, CWI has turned to experience and youth—recalling veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach and giving emerging pacer Ojay Shields his first Test squad selection.
This series is crucial, forming part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship, and will be the final assignment for the West Indies in 2025.
🔶 Kemar Roach Returns to Lead the Fast-Bowling Charge
Roach, who recently completed a two-week high-performance training block in Antigua, is expected to play a leading role on New Zealand’s seam-friendly surfaces. His return provides stability for a developing bowling attack expected to face tough conditions in the December series.
🔷 Ojay Shields: A New Era of Pace for West Indies Cricket
Fast bowler Ojay Shields—long regarded as one of the region’s most exciting young quicks—has earned his first-ever Test call-up. His performances during the Antigua camp impressed selectors, who believe his natural pace will be an asset in New Zealand.
🔶 Kavem Hodge Returns to the Middle Order
All-rounder Kavem Hodge has been recalled after previously showing strong resistance and technique against fast bowling. His return strengthens the West Indies middle order—an area expected to be tested heavily by New Zealand’s world-class pace attack.
Spinner Khary Pierre has been left out, with selectors noting that spin is unlikely to dominate conditions across the three venues.
CWI Director of Cricket: “This Is One of Our Best-Prepared Squads”
CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe emphasized the meticulous preparation ahead of the series:
“New Zealand is historically one of the hardest places to tour. Our high-performance camp in Antigua was designed to replicate the conditions we expect—fast, bouncy surfaces and seam movement. This group is one of the best-prepared West Indies squads to tour New Zealand in recent years.”
Bascombe also highlighted that several players already in New Zealand for the white-ball series have gained valuable acclimatization time—another strategic advantage.
Warm-Up Match & Arrival in New Zealand
Players traveling from the Caribbean joined the white-ball squad members on November 20, allowing the full Test squad ample time to adapt to local conditions and participate in a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln.
🟣 Full West Indies Test Squad for New Zealand Tour 2025
Roston Chase (Captain)
Jomel Warrican (Vice-Captain)
Alick Athanaze
John Campbell
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Justin Greaves
Kavem Hodge
Shai Hope
Tevin Imlach
Brandon King
Johann Layne
Anderson Phillip
Kemar Roach
Jayden Seales
Ojay Shields
Team Management Unit
Head Coach: Daren Sammy
Manager: Rawl Lewis
Batting Coach: Floyd Reifer
Bowling Coach: Ravi Rampaul
Fielding Coach: Rayon Griffith
Physiotherapist: Dr Denis Byam
Performance Coach: Krisnan Hurdle
Strength & Conditioning: Darc Browne
Massage Therapist: Fitzbert Alleyne
Performance Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram
Content & Media Officer: Jerome Foster
📅 FULL MATCH SCHEDULE (Caribbean Time)
Two-Day Warm-Up: Nov 25–26 — Lincoln, Christchurch
1st Test: Dec 1–5 — Hagley Oval, Christchurch @ 6pm AST
2nd Test: Dec 9–13 — Basin Reserve, Wellington @ 6pm AST
3rd Test: Dec 17–21 — Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui @ 6pm AST