New Zealand has announced its squad for the second Test against the West Indies in Wellington, and the big news is the return of all-rounder Glenn Phillips. With many senior players injured, the team has named a fresh 14-member group for the match starting Wednesday.

New Zealand had to make several changes because some key players are out with injuries. This Test gives them a chance to try a new combination while welcoming Phillips back into the side.

Phillips has not played Test cricket since the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year. A groin injury kept him away from the format for almost a year. His last Test was in December against England in Hamilton. His comeback is important, especially with several players missing in both batting and bowling.

Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell is injured, so young keeper Mitch Hay is likely to make his Test debut. In the fast-bowling department, uncapped pacers Kristian Clarke and Michael Rae join Jacob Duffy. Clarke and Rae have done well in domestic cricket and now get their chance at the international level.

Despite the changes, senior players like Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, and Rachin Ravindra are available. The first Test ended in a draw after a strong batting show from the visitors.

New Zealand squad:

Tom Latham (c), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young

West Indies squad:

Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), 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

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New Zealand cricket is preparing for a major shift as plans progress for NZ20, a brand-new, privately owned T20 league scheduled to launch in January 2027. With franchise cricket taking over the global landscape, NZ20 is set to become New Zealand’s entry into the world of high-profile T20 competitions, potentially replacing the long-running Super Smash and offering a more modern, commercially driven product.

The T20 revolution sweeping world cricket has seen the rise of major leagues like the IPL, BBL, PSL and CPL. While New Zealand introduced the Super Smash nearly two decades ago, the tournament has largely remained a developmental competition with limited commercial traction. NZ20 aims to change that narrative completely. The proposed league will feature six privately owned teams, operating independently under a licence granted by New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

The project is being spearheaded by the NZ20 Establishment Committee, led by Don MacKinnon, who revealed that the idea originated from former New Zealand players, including legendary coach Stephen Fleming. After initial discussions, the group soon engaged with the New Zealand Players Association (NZPA), receiving strong interest from current and former players.

Private Ownership, Player Investment and a Summer Window at the Heart of NZ20’s Vision

MacKinnon described NZ20 as an “extremely viable” concept, built around a simple yet ambitious vision: A short, fan-centric T20 league hosted entirely in January, during New Zealand’s peak summer, and staged across scenic venues with grassbank grounds and holiday crowds.

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He emphasized that private ownership allows for greater investment, innovation and improved fan experience, both at stadiums and through broadcast. NZ20 also intends to bring New Zealand’s top players back into domestic cricket, something the Super Smash has struggled to achieve in recent years.

However, challenges remain. NZC has not yet approved the proposal, and a January window would clash with major tournaments like the BBL, SA20 and ILT20, all of which feature New Zealand players. Still, MacKinnon insists that many Kiwi stars are excited and willing to prioritise a home-based league if the conditions are right.

Investor interest from India and other markets has already been strong, and organisers are even exploring a unique feature: player ownership stakes, enabling cricketers to hold shares in the league. If approved, NZ20 will mark the beginning of a new era in New Zealand cricket, one driven by private investment, international flavour and a renewed focus on fan engagement.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 runners-up New Zealand are ready to prove themselves in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the tournament between February 7 and March 8, 2026. 

While New Zealand played three consecutive Semi-finals between 2016 and 2022, including winning the 2021 edition where they finished as the runners-up, they first time were eliminated from the first round group stage for the Men’s T20 World Cup history in the last edition (2024). The Blackcaps are surely desperate to prove themselves in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 by producing their challenging performances on the field. 

New Zealand's group for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Group D: Afghanistan, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, UAE

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: New Zealand's complete Group Stage schedule  

February 8: New Zealand vs Afghanistan (Chennai, 11:00 AM)

February 10: New Zealand vs UAE (Chennai, 03:00 PM)

February 14: New Zealand vs South Africa (Ahmedabad, 07:00 PM)

February 17: New Zealand vs Canada (Chennai, 11:00 AM)

New Zealand star Daryl Mitchell has climbed to the top of the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, ending Rohit Sharma’s brief stay at No.1. Mitchell’s rise comes on the back of his match-winning century (119) in the first ODI against the West Indies in Christchurch, where the Black Caps edged home by seven runs.

The in-form right-hander now sits on 782 rating points, just one ahead of Rohit, who had held the top spot for close to three weeks. In the process, Mitchell becomes only the second New Zealander to be ranked No.1 in ODI batting, the first since Glenn Turner achieved the feat way back in 1979.

Latest ICC ODI Batting Rankings - Top 5

Mitchell joins an elite Kiwi list that includes Martin Crowe, Andrew Jones, Roger Twose, Nathan Astle, Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, and Ross Taylor, all of whom have previously featured in the top five but never reached No.1.

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Pakistan also enjoyed major ranking boosts following their 3-0 sweep of Sri Lanka. Mohammad Rizwan jumped five places to 22nd while Fakhar Zaman climbed to 26th. On the bowling front, rising spinner Abrar Ahmed surged into ninth, and Haris Rauf moved to 23rd, although Rashid Khan continues to lead the ODI bowlers.

Test rankings shake-up after Kolkata clash

The first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens brought updates across formats. Proteas captain Temba Bavuma broke into the top five Test batters for the first time after his unbeaten 55 steered South Africa home. India’s Shubman Gill moved up to 11th despite suffering an injury.

Jasprit Bumrah remains the No.1 Test bowler, with strong support from Kuldeep Yadav (13th) and Ravindra Jadeja (15th). South Africa’s Marco Jansen climbed to 11th among bowlers and fifth in Test all-rounders after a solid outing.

With New Zealand celebrating a rare No.1 ranking and India locked in an intense Test battle, the race across ICC charts is heating up as the cricket calendar enters a crucial phase.

In a match filled with drama, twists, and late nerves, Alick Athanaze produced one of the standout moments of brilliance as the West Indies faced New Zealand in the third T20I in Nelson. Although the visitors eventually fell short by nine runs, Athanaze’s direct hit to run out Devon Conway was a moment that briefly turned the tide in their favour.

The dismissal came at a crucial stage of the innings. Conway, who had looked in sublime touch with 56 off 34 balls, was anchoring New Zealand’s innings alongside Daryl Mitchell. The hosts had just crossed 90 and were eyeing a total well above 180 when Mitchell pushed a delivery from Shamar Springer towards deep midwicket and called for two. Conway, backing his partner’s call, turned for the second but underestimated Athanaze’s speed and accuracy in the field.

Alick Athanaze’s brilliant direct hit to run out Devon Conway steals the spotlight in Nelson

Sprinting swiftly to his left, Athanaze picked up the ball cleanly and unleashed a flat, bullet throw to the non-striker’s end. The direct hit caught Conway inches short of his ground, a stunning piece of fielding that sent the West Indies players into celebration. The run-out not only removed New Zealand’s in-form batter but also halted their momentum just when they were threatening to explode in the final overs.

Watch the video:

Direct hit and gone! ☄️

Alick Athanaze hits bullseye from deep to send Conway packing 🤯 #SonySportsNetwork #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/x8iluCv3CW

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) November 9, 2025

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Athanaze, who had earlier contributed a solid 31 with the bat, showcased his all-round value in the side. The direct hit exemplified his sharp awareness and athleticism, two traits that have made him one of the most promising young cricketers in the Caribbean setup.

Although New Zealand eventually posted 177 for 9, Athanaze’s run-out proved a turning point, sparking a middle-order collapse that saw the hosts lose six wickets for just 35 runs. It was only due to Conway and Mitchell’s earlier efforts that New Zealand had a defendable total on the board.

In the end, despite a late West Indies resurgence led by Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer, the visitors fell agonizingly short. Yet, Athanaze’s moment of brilliance in the field stood out, a reminder that one piece of fielding can change the flow of a T20 game in an instant.

On Thursday, November 6, New Zealand (NZ) will face West Indies (WI), in the second T20I of the five-match series, at Eden Park, Auckland. After a narrow win in the series opener, the visitors will be happy to take a 1-0 lead into this match. New Zealand’s bowling was disciplined and effective, even when the BlackCaps batting unit cracked under pressure. Captain Mitchell Santner shone with the bat, with his innings of bravery failing to be enough to ensure his team won by a margin of seven runs. They will be looking to rebound and regain the momentum back in front of their home crowd.

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In support for the West Indies, captain Shai Hope, conducted a captain’s knock, anchoring the innings with his half-century. Roston Chase and Jayden Seales were the stars of the show with the ball, both taking three wickets, and ensuring their team was on top throughout the match. The visitors will be looking to maintain the momentum, with the aim to take a series 2-0 lead. With both teams keen to exert their will upon the other, spectators should be in store later this evening for another close encounter at Eden Park.

NZ vs WI, 2025, 2nd T20I: Live Streaming Details

NZ vs WI, 2025, 2nd T20I: Probable Playing XI

New Zealand

Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy

West Indies

Shai Hope (c) (wk), Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Roston Chase, Ackeem Auguste, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales

New Zealand clinched a nail-biting 3-run victory over West Indies in the 2nd T20I at home, taking a 1–0 lead in the series. Batting first, the Kiwis posted a formidable 207/5 in 20 overs, powered by a blistering knock from Mark Chapman. The left-hander played one of his finest T20I innings, smashing 78 off just 28 balls, laced with six fours and seven towering sixes, ensuring New Zealand finished with momentum after early hiccups.

Earlier, Tim Robinson’s 39 off 25 and Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 28 off 14 helped steady the innings following early dismissals. West Indies’ bowlers struggled to contain runs, with only Matthew Forde (1/17) and Roston Chase (2/33) maintaining control. Despite leaking 11 wides, the visitors managed to pick wickets at regular intervals, but New Zealand’s lower order ensured the total crossed the 200-mark with some late fireworks from captain Mitchell Santner (18* off 8).

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Chasing 208, the West Indies faced early setbacks as Brandon King fell for a duck and Shai Hope (24) struggled to build momentum. Alick Athanaze (33 off 25) and Jason Holder (16 off 8) tried to revive the innings, but the required rate kept climbing. When Powell arrived, the game shifted gears. The Windies skipper launched a brutal counterattack, blasting 45 from 16 balls, including six massive sixes, keeping his side in the hunt till the final over.

Santner and Sodhi Seal It for New Zealand

Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi turned the match around with three wickets each, halting the Windies charge just in time. Santner’s tight final overs and Sodhi’s mid-innings breakthroughs proved crucial as the visitors finished at 204/8, just three runs short. Jacob Duffy’s early dismissal of King and Jamieson’s crucial breakthrough of Powell in the 19th over sealed the win in dramatic fashion.

Romario Shepherd’s explosive 34 off 16 and Matthew Forde’s late cameo of 29* nearly stole the game, but New Zealand’s composure under pressure prevailed. With this victory, the hosts took a 1–0 lead in the series and will look to maintain their dominance in the upcoming final T20I. The match will be remembered for Chapman’s heroics and the thrilling finale that kept fans on the edge until the very last ball.

New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has officially announced his retirement from T20 Internationals, ending a distinguished chapter in his career. The 35-year-old, who represented the Blackcaps in 93 T20Is since his debut in 2011, amassed 2,575 runs at an average of 33.44 and a strike rate of 123.08, making him the country’s second-highest run-scorer in the format behind Martin Guptill.

Williamson led New Zealand in 75 matches, guiding them to T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2016 and 2022, and a final appearance in 2021. Announcing his decision, he said, “It’s something that I’ve loved being a part of for a long time. It’s the right moment for myself and the team. There’s so much young T20 talent, and it’s now their time to push the Blackcaps forward.”

Having not featured for New Zealand since their early exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup, Williamson explained that the move allows the team to plan clearly ahead of the next World Cup. He praised Mitchell Santner, who has taken over the white-ball captaincy, calling him a “brilliant leader” with a strong understanding of the game.

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Focus Shifts to Tests and ODIs as Williamson Enters Next Phase of His Career

Williamson will now focus on Test and ODI cricket, with his immediate target being the home Test series against West Indies starting December 2. He is expected to warm up with a Plunket Shield game for Northern Districts later this month.

New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink lauded Williamson’s contributions, saying, “Kane’s performances and leadership have been immense. His knock of 85 in the 2021 T20 World Cup final remains one of the finest by a New Zealander. He’s earned the right to decide when to finish his career.”

Head coach Rob Walter echoed the sentiment, calling Williamson “a magnificent team man” whose influence went far beyond runs and records. While Williamson steps away from international T20s, he will continue to play in franchise leagues around the world, balancing cricket with family time as he enters the next phase of his storied career.

New Zealand great Kane Williamson announced his retirement from T20 Internationals. The batter decided to wrap up his 93-game T20 International career. He signed off from the format as the second-highest run getter for his nation. Williamson retired from T20I only to focus on the upcoming Test series. The 35-year-old retires as New Zealand’s second-highest men’s T20I run-scorer with 2575 runs at an average of 33, including 18 50s and a highest score of 95.

The Tauranga-born made his T20I debut in 2011, then became the captain of the team. As the captain, he led the team in 75 T20I games. He was the leader of the Black Caps in multiple World Cups. Under his leadership, New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals of the 2016 & 2022 ICC T20 World Cups and the final of the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. As he announced his retirement from the format, he will not participate in the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies.

The decision to take retirement from the format, after playing so many matches, was not easy for the cricketer himself. In an emotional statement, he felt that it is the right time to say good bye to the format, as there are too many talents who can represent the team. He mentioned the next T20I World Cup as well.

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 Retirement speech of Kane Williamson

"It’s something that I’ve loved being a part of for a long period of time, and I’m so grateful for the memories and experiences. It’s the right time for me and the team. It gives the team clarity for the series moving forward and ahead of their next major focus, which is the T20 World Cup," Williamson said in his retirement speech. 

"There’s so much T20 talent there, and the next period will be important to get cricket into these guys and get them ready for the World Cup. Mitch is a brilliant captain and leader—he’s really come into his own with this team. It’s now their time to push the BLACKCAPS forward in this format, and I’ll be supporting from afar." 

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced the 15-member complete White Ferns squad for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025. Sophie Devine is ready to lead the team, where four players will experience their first ODI World Cup. 

The ICC Women's World Cup 2000 champions New Zealand are now officially ready for the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, which India and Sri Lanka will jointly host from September 30 to November 2, 2025. The four-time finalists finished in sixth position in the last edition, which was their worst performance in this tournament's history. 

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New Zealand Women have strong balance

Captain Sophie Devine will lead New Zealand Women in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, who will experience her fifth ODI World Cup tournament, just like her teammate Suzie Bates. Lea Tahuhu is ready to play her fourth ODI World Cup, while Maddy Green and Melie Kerr have already experienced two ODI World Cups. 

Apart from strong experiences, the White Ferns also have four players who will experience the ODI World Cup for the first time. These players are Flora Devonshire, Polly Inglis, Bella James, and Bree Illing.

New Zealand Women will start the tournament during the second game of the tournament, where they will face Australia on October 1 at Indore. Then they will play against South Africa (October 6 at Indore), Bangladesh (October 10 at Guwahati), Sri Lanka (October 14 at Colombo), Pakistan (October 18 at Colombo), India (October 23 at Navi Mumbai), and England (October 26 at Visakhapatnam). Before the tournament journey, they will face India A and India in the warm-up games both at Bengaluru on September 25 and 27, respectively.

New Zealand complete squad for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025

Sophie Devine (Captain), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu.