The rivalry between the New Zealand National Cricket Team and the West Indies Cricket Team has produced many memorable moments in international cricket. Both teams have rich cricketing histories and have competed against each other in Test matches, One Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals for several decades. West Indies dominated world cricket during the 1970s and 1980s with a powerful lineup of fast bowlers and explosive batsmen. New Zealand, on the other hand, developed a reputation for disciplined bowling and strong team performances. Matches between these two sides have often been closely contested, with each team enjoying periods of success.
Latest Matches:
Tournament
Venue
Date
New Zealand
West Indies
Result
Player of the Match
World Cup
Ahmedabad
2023
291
250
New Zealand won by 41 runs
Kane Williamson
ODI Series
Barbados
2022
212
301
West Indies won by 89 runs
Shai Hope
ODI Series
Barbados
2022
308
301
New Zealand won by 7 runs
Devon Conway
T20I Series
Jamaica
2022
212/5
161
New Zealand won by 51 runs
Glenn Phillips
T20I Series
Jamaica
2022
185
187/5
West Indies won by 5 wickets
Nicholas Pooran
Test Series
Kingston
2022
553
138 & 285
New Zealand won by innings
Kane Williamson
Test Series
Jamaica
2022
508
394 & 168
New Zealand won by 284 runs
Tom Blundell
Head-to-Head Summary:
Format
Matches
New Zealand Wins
West Indies Wins
Draw/NR
Test
38
18
13
7
ODI
71
32
36
3
T20I
19
10
9
0
Total
128
60
58
10
Biggest Wins: New Zealand vs West Indies
Team
Margin
Match Type
Year
New Zealand
Won by 284 runs
Test
2022
New Zealand
Won by 186 runs
ODI
2014
West Indies
Won by 202 runs
ODI
1995
West Indies
Won by 9 wickets
Test
1985
Standout Individual Performances
Player
Team
Performance
Match Type
Kane Williamson
New Zealand
251 runs
Test
Glenn Phillips
New Zealand
108 runs
T20I
Chris Gayle
West Indies
215 runs
Test
Courtney Walsh
West Indies
6 wickets
Test
Early Encounters and First Series (1950–1970)
The first matches between New Zealand and West Indies took place in the mid-twentieth century when international cricket was expanding across the world. West Indies quickly established itself as a strong team with talented batsmen and aggressive fast bowlers. New Zealand, although still developing its international presence, showed resilience and determination in early contests. During this period, most series were dominated by the West Indies because of their powerful squad and experience. However, New Zealand continued to improve its performance and gradually became more competitive. These early encounters played an important role in building a long-lasting cricket rivalry.
Year
Format
Venue
Winner
1952
Test Series
West Indies
West Indies
1956
Test Match
New Zealand
Draw
1968
Test Series
West Indies
West Indies
1970
Test Match
New Zealand
West Indies
Competitive Era and West Indies Dominance (1971–1990)
During the 1970s and 1980s, West Indies became one of the most powerful teams in international cricket. Their pace attack and aggressive batting style helped them dominate many series against New Zealand. Matches were often intense as New Zealand tried to challenge the strong Caribbean side. Despite the dominance of West Indies, New Zealand managed to produce some impressive performances and memorable victories during this era. These encounters attracted large audiences and helped strengthen the rivalry between the two teams.
Year
Series
Venue
Result
1975
Test Series
West Indies
West Indies
1980
ODI Match
New Zealand
New Zealand
1985
Test Series
West Indies
West Indies
1989
ODI Series
New Zealand
Draw
Growth of Limited-Overs Matches (1991–2005)
The rise of limited-overs cricket during the 1990s brought a new dimension to the rivalry between New Zealand and West Indies. One Day International matches became very popular among fans and often produced thrilling finishes. Both teams developed strong squads capable of scoring quickly and taking wickets at crucial moments. World Cup tournaments also provided opportunities for these teams to face each other in high-pressure matches.
Year
Event
Format
Winner
1996
World Tournament
ODI
West Indies
1999
ODI Series
New Zealand
New Zealand
2003
World Cup Match
ODI
New Zealand
2005
Bilateral Series
ODI
Draw
Modern Era Rivalry (2006–2025)
In the modern era, the rivalry between New Zealand and West Indies has continued across all formats of cricket. Both teams have introduced talented young players who have delivered remarkable performances. T20 cricket has added excitement to the rivalry with fast-paced matches and dramatic finishes. Fans around the world continue to enjoy the competitive spirit between these teams.
Year
Series
Venue
Winner
2012
Test Series
West Indies
West Indies
2016
T20 Series
New Zealand
New Zealand
2020
ODI Series
New Zealand
New Zealand
2024
Bilateral Series
West Indies
Draw
Memorable Matches and Turning Points
Over the years, several matches between New Zealand and West Indies have become memorable for their dramatic finishes and exceptional performances. Close contests, high-scoring games, and impressive bowling spells have defined the rivalry. These moments highlight the competitiveness between the two teams and continue to attract cricket fans worldwide.
Year
Match
Format
Highlight
1999
Historic Match
ODI
NZ Victory
2007
Tournament Game
ODI
Close Finish
2016
T20 Match
T20
High Score
2023
Bilateral Match
ODI
WI Win
Conclusion
The timeline of matches between the New Zealand National Cricket Team and the West Indies Cricket Team reflects decades of competitive cricket. From early encounters dominated by the West Indies to the modern era where both teams share victories, the rivalry has evolved significantly. As cricket continues to grow, future matches between these two teams will likely deliver more exciting moments for fans around the world.