<p>Jacob Duffy made a big impact against the West Indies in the recently concluded test series. His numbers in the Mount Maunganui test were especially impressive, as he took 9 wickets in the match to give New Zealand a thumping victory.</p>

<p>Speaking at the press conference after the third test, Duffy said that he is currently enjoying his performances in international cricket. He added that it was a privilege for him to lead the New Zealand attack when the majority of their bowlers had been ruled out due to injury.</p>

<p>&quot;I&#39;m just enjoying my career, I don&#39;t know. I don&#39;t look at things too holistically I guess. It has been an awesome ride; it&#39;s been testing with all the bowlers going down and obviously the workload is pretty high.&rdquo; said Jacob Duffy at the post-match press conference.</p>

<p>&quot;But I guess the fact that Tommy [Tom Latham] keeps asking me to bowl the ball, I&#39;d like to view that as a bit of a privilege. You just get to trust you to keep bowling and doing the good stuff, so that&#39;s what I&#39;m trying to do.&quot; added Jacob Duffy.</p>

<p>Growing up in the Southland region, Duffy did a lot of hard work to make his way into the New Zealand international side. Now, he is performing well on the biggest stage, getting the nod that he belongs at this level.</p>

<p>&quot;I guess that&#39;s probably the Southland kid in me. I think you grow up down there and even playing for Otago seems ridiculous when you&#39;re growing up. To come on to the international stage and I guess start to feel like you belong, that&#39;s really cool.&rdquo; said Jacob Duffy.</p>

<p>&quot;I guess it was probably out here last year, this time of year against Sri Lanka, I guess I started putting in some match-winning, match-changing spells and stuff in 2020 and you start to feel like you belong internationally. It&#39;s a really cool feeling, it gives you that trust and belief in yourself and you know you&#39;re worth it.&quot; added Jacob Duffy.</p>

<h2><strong>Looking Forward to 2026 T20 World Cup and IPL</strong></h2>

<p>The rising New Zealand pacer was recently picked by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL auction. He is looking forward to featuring in the tournament immediately after the 2026 T20 World Cup that will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.</p>

<p>&quot;I think it&#39;s always going to be a surprise isn&#39;t it, you see your name on that weird auction screen, that was an interesting experience but yeah, like I said it was a very weird experience. It was quite cool, still a surprise, you just never know what&#39;s going to happen.&rdquo; said Jacob Duffy.</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s such an odd experience but pretty cool and we&#39;ve got a big series in India before that and then into the [T20] World Cup and then there&#39;s a lot of time in India coming up, it&#39;s an amazing place so I&#39;m looking forward to all of it.&quot; added Jacob Duffy.</p>

<p>Next year will bring plenty of opportunities for Duffy to feature in various international tours and series. Apart from the tests against India, he is particularly excited about the tours of England and Australia, where he is likely to lead New Zealand&rsquo;s red-ball bowling attack.</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s amazing, there&#39;s Test cricket [against] India at home as well, that&#39;s a huge series. It&#39;s exciting for the group and definitely I&#39;ve done two-and-a-half England tours now where I&#39;ve not played, so to go over there and potentially maybe do that and Aussie away too - those are the pinnacles I think. Those are the highlights of your career potentially, especially in the red-ball scene.&quot; said Jacob Duffy.</p>

Jacob Duffy said that leading NZ’s pace attack is a privilege for him. He made the statement after delivering a match-winning performance against West Indies in the third test.

Duffy Humbled to Lead NZ Bowling in Test Matches

<p>Mount Maunganui: New Zealand moved firmly in control of the third and final Test after a dominant fourth day at the Bay Oval, leaving West Indies staring at a daunting target and a long final day ahead. At stumps, the visitors reached 43 without loss in their second innings, still trailing by 419 runs with one full day remaining.</p>

<p>Earlier, New Zealand declared their second innings at 306 for two, setting West Indies an imposing target of 462 runs for victory. The equation leaves little margin for error, with history and conditions both stacked heavily against the Caribbean side.</p>

<h2>Latham and Conway Flatten West Indies Again</h2>

<p>New Zealand&rsquo;s declaration followed another punishing opening stand from Tom Latham and Devon Conway, who once again dismantled the West Indies bowling attack with clinical precision. Latham struck a fluent 101, while Conway followed with an equally authoritative 100, completing a rare feat for an opening pair.</p>

<p>The duo became the first <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/latham-and-conway-set-new-test-opening-partnership-record/2719-5-0">opening partnership</a> to score centuries in both innings of the same match. Their dominance mirrored the first innings, where New Zealand had already dictated tempo and territory.</p>

<p>Conway also etched his name deeper into New Zealand&rsquo;s record books, becoming the country&rsquo;s first batter to score a double century and a century in the same Test match. His control outside off stump and ruthless punishment of width underlined New Zealand&rsquo;s batting depth and discipline.</p>

<p>Latham, meanwhile, continued his strong home form, rotating strike calmly and capitalizing on loose deliveries without unnecessary risk.</p>

<h2>Declaration Sends Clear Message</h2>

<p>New Zealand captain Tim Southee opted for an assertive declaration midway through the afternoon session, prioritizing time over personal milestones. With a lead already beyond 400, the decision reflected complete confidence in New Zealand&rsquo;s bowling unit and match position.</p>

<p>The hosts had already piled up 575 for eight declared in the first innings, grinding West Indies down over 155 overs. That effort set the tone for a Test match controlled largely on New Zealand&rsquo;s terms.</p>

<p>By declaring at 306 for two, New Zealand ensured enough time remained to push for victory, while still keeping the draw safely within reach.</p>

<h2>Hodge Stands Tall Amid Collapse</h2>

<p>West Indies&rsquo; resistance earlier in the match came primarily through Kavem Hodge, who delivered a career-defining knock in the first innings. His unbeaten 123 provided rare stability during a long and demanding batting effort.</p>

<p>Hodge showed patience against spin and pace alike, choosing discipline over aggression while wickets fell around him. His innings lifted West Indies to 420, preventing a complete collapse and offering some pride amid New Zealand&rsquo;s dominance.</p>

<p>However, the support around him remained limited, exposing the gap between individual resolve and collective consistency.</p>

<h2>Record Chase Looms Large</h2>

<p>West Indies now face a target that stretches beyond historical precedent. The highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test cricket stands at 418, a record ironically held by West Indies themselves. Surpassing that mark would require something extraordinary on a pitch showing uneven bounce and variable carry.</p>

<p>New Zealand&rsquo;s bowling attack, led by pace and backed by disciplined fields, holds every advantage. Early breakthroughs on the final day would likely seal the contest quickly.</p>

<h2>Openers Show Late Defiance</h2>

<p>Despite the scale of the task, West Indies ended Day 4 with a measure of defiance. Brandon King and John Campbell negotiated the final 16 overs without damage, adding 43 valuable runs and blunting New Zealand&rsquo;s new-ball threat.</p>

<p>Both batters showed restraint, leaving well outside off stump and defending compactly against movement. Their composure offered a small but significant positive heading into the final morning.</p>

<p>Still, the road ahead remains steep, with survival appearing more realistic than victory.</p>

Tom Latham and Devon Conway make history with twin centuries as New Zealand set West Indies a daunting 462-run target on Day 4 at the Bay Oval.

NZ vs WI 3rd Test: Latham and Conway Centuries Set Massive Target

<p>New Zealand set the tone for the Test by declaring at a commanding 575 for 8, with Conway&rsquo;s remarkable 227 anchoring the innings. Rachin Ravindra, who was unbeaten on 72, helped extend the innings while solid contributions from Tom Latham (137) and Conway laid the platform.</p>

<p>West Indies 110 for 0 (King 55, Campbell 45) is now trailing by 465 runs. West Indies started their chase confidently, despite New Zealand&#39;s massive total. Their openers, King and Campbell, hung in there against the early stuff from the bowlers. King ended up on 55 not out and Campbell on 45, so they put on 110 runs without losing a wicket by stumps. Still 465 to go, but it feels like they have a shot, I think, especially after how tough the day was for the bowling side.</p>

<h2>Kemar Roach&#39;s Absence and West Indies&rsquo; Resilience</h2>

<p>The West Indies bowlers showed more discipline on Day 2 than on <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/conway-and-latham-dominate-west-indies-struggle-in-mount-maunganui-test/2718-5-0">Day 1</a>. Kemar Roach was out with that hamstring from day one, and it left a big gap in their attack. His fitness is still up in the air, and without him, things were stretched thin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Justin Greaves was the standout bowler for the West Indies. He got Kane Williamson out for 31, and that really slowed New Zealand down. Roston Chase bowled an extensive spell of 25 overs and helped fill in for Roach. It was impressive how they managed without some key players.</p>

<h2>Improved Bowling and Batting from the West Indies</h2>

<p>Overall, after a bad day one, the bowlers found their line and length on day two. They made it tough for the New Zealand batters, even if the total kept climbing. Only Rachin Ravindra went past fifty with 72 not out, but still, New Zealand hit a huge number.</p>

<p>Jayden Seales stood out in that innings. He troubled Devon Conway, who was on like a double hundred already. Some of his balls bounced awkwardly, and Conway had to back away. That was one of the highlights for the West Indies with the ball. Seales&rsquo; persistence paid off when Conway was eventually dismissed for 227, with a ball that nipped in and kept low to trap him lbw.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Greaves&rsquo; exceptional bowling to dismiss Williamson was a highlight. He beat the outside edge several times, forcing Williamson to chase a delivery outside off stump. After a series of close calls, Greaves succeeded in dismissing Williamson, with the ball flying through to the keeper. This was the kind of pressure-building bowling missing on Day 1 when Conway and Latham had piled on runs for New Zealand.</p>

<h2>West Indies&rsquo; Injury Concerns Continue</h2>

<p>Ojay Shields and Tagenarine Chanderpaul had injury issues, and then Greaves had to step off for a bit. No subs available, so they called in this 19-year-old local, Sebastian Heath from Tauranga. He&#39;s even registered with Denmark cricket, but he did okay filling in.</p>

<p>Matt Henry and Nathan Smith are out in Christchurch, and Blair Tickner is missing the second test. Tom Blundell hurt his hamstring on day one but came back for the third. Even with that, New Zealand played strongly, like Conway&#39;s double century that set everything up.</p>

<p>Seales was fired up; you could hear him on the mic cursing after Greaves dropped a catch off Daryl Mitchell in the 127th over. But he kept going at Mitchell, proving the team still had heart despite the mess.</p>

<h2>New Zealand&rsquo;s Challenges and Setbacks</h2>

<p>New Zealand&rsquo;s own injury woes were also significant in this series. Matt Henry and Nathan Smith were sidelined in Christchurch, while Blair Tickner was ruled out of the second Test. Tom Blundell suffered a hamstring issue on Day 1 but recovered in time to return for the third Test. Despite these setbacks, New Zealand has been able to perform strongly, including Conway&rsquo;s brilliant double-century that set the tone for the Test.</p>

<h2>Greaves and Seales Show Heart Despite Adversity</h2>

<p>Seales was fired up; you could hear him on the mic cursing after Greaves dropped a catch off Daryl Mitchell in the 127th over. But he kept going at Mitchell, proving the team still had heart despite the mess.</p>

<p>West Indies batting has a long way to go, with King and Campbell carrying the load now. The pitch is helping bowlers, so day three might bring more trouble as they try to stay in it. It seems the injuries are just piling up for them, making the challenge bigger.</p>

Brandon King and John Campbell lead West Indies with a resilient 110-run partnership, trailing New Zealand's 575 for 8 declared by 465 runs.

King and Campbell Lead WIs' Fightback After NZ Declare on 575

<p>Scott Weenink has announced his decision to step down as the chief executive of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), citing differences with &quot;several member associations&quot; and the New Zealand Cricket Players&#39; Association (NZCPA) regarding the future direction of the game and NZC&#39;s long-term priorities. Weenink will leave the role on January 30, 2026, after a two-and-a-half-year tenure.</p>

<p>&quot;After careful consideration,&quot; Weenink said in a media statement, &quot;it has become clear that I hold a different view from several member associations, and the NZCPA [New Zealand Cricket Players&#39; Association], on the future priorities for NZC, including the long-term direction of the game and the best role for T20 cricket in New Zealand. Given these differences, I believe it is in the best interests of the organisation that new leadership takes NZC forward from here.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;While I am saddened to leave after such a successful period, I do not wish to create ongoing instability by continuing without the support of some key stakeholders. I depart with pride in the excellent progress made by NZC during my time as CEO, and confidence in the people in NZC who will carry the game forward.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;I will return to the role of executive chair of Xceda Group, subject to regulatory approvals, in the new year. I will take with me great memories of my time with NZC.&quot;</p>

<p>Weenink was appointed NZC CEO in August 2023, and during his tenure, New Zealand won the Women&rsquo;s T20 World Cup and a men&rsquo;s Test series in India in 2024. The men&rsquo;s team also made it to the final of the Champions Trophy in 2025.</p>

<p>His announcement coincides with the news of plans to launch the NZ20, a franchise-based T20 league in New Zealand, which is scheduled to begin by January 2027. The league will follow a model similar to that of the Caribbean Premier League, with the NZC granting the license, but the tournament being managed independently. Once established, the NZ20 will replace the men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s Super Smash.</p>

<p>Approval for the NZ20 is pending from NZC. Don MacKinnon, who heads the NZ20 establishment committee, is looking for clarity on the decision, ideally by January 2026.</p>

Scott Weenink announces his resignation as CEO of NZ Cricket, citing differences with key stakeholders over the future direction of the game.

Scott Weenink Steps Down as NZC CEO Over Differences in Future Direction

<p>The hamstring injury suffered by Kemar Roach has ruled him out for the second day of the Test in Mount Maunganui. During the 89th over, Roach pulled up with a hamstring injury and limped off after a brief but painful spell. His loss is another addition to the ever-increasing list of West Indies fast-bowling casualties.</p>

<p>Roach was absent from the warm-ups on Friday, and the broadcaster confirmed that he would not play on the second day. West Indies is also lacking Shai Hope, who is still in the hotel under the weather.</p>

<p>The West Indies are already 1-0 down in the three-match series, with Devon Conway threatening to score a double century. Their seam attack is heavily reliant on Jayden Seales, who has taken only five wickets in five innings. Anderson Phillip and Justin Greaves will offer the support, yet the resources are limited.</p>

<p>Ojay Shields and Tagenarine Chanderpaul have been battling niggles too, and Justin Greaves was taken off the field during the second session. Sebastian Heath came in to replace him. The West Indies&rsquo; campaign remains hindered by injuries &nbsp; .</p>

<p>New Zealand has also encountered injuries. Matt Henry and Nathan Smith were ruled out of Christchurch; Christchurch ruled Blair Tickner out of the second Test. On day one, Tom Blundell complained of a hamstring issue but recovered in time to take part in the third Test.</p>

<p>The West Indies have only defeated one of the most recent seven tests in the ICC World Test Championship. New Zealand, in their turn, started with a victory and a draw.</p>

Kemar Roach’s hamstring injury and Shai Hope’s illness leave WI short-handed on the second day of their Test match against NZ in Mount Maunganui.

Kemar Roach Injured for Second Day’s Play in Mount Maunganui

<p>The opener says it was a collective decision to bat first on a green pitch. After New Zealand won the toss in the third Test against the West Indies at Mount Maunganui, they chose to bat first on a pitch that had a green tinge, a decision that was made collectively.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Devon Conway, speaking after his monumental 323-run opening partnership with Tom Latham, shared the team&#39;s goal: &quot;The goal was to &#39;bat big, bat well, and give our bowlers an opportunity to bowl in the fourth innings.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Latham was sent home at 137 before the close, and Conway was at 178 without being beaten. New Zealand ended Day 1 at 334 for 1.</p>

<p>New Zealand decided to open the batting on a green pitch, something not done on the domestic front since 2011. Conway has talked of the mental preparation that led to that decision: &quot;Once we made the decision that we were going to go with Jazzy [Ajaz Patel], we decided that we were collectively going to have a bat first. Mentally, I really knew that we were going to bat. It was a guaranteed bat day because I had a feeling that they would have seen a green wicket, and with the make-up of their bowling attack, they probably wanted to bowl first.&quot;</p>

<h2>Fighting through the Early Challenges</h2>

<p>The first 15-20 overs saw the West Indies bowlers moving the ball sharply and keeping Conway and Latham on their toes. Conway admitted to battling early on: &quot;In the first 15-20 overs, they seemed to be bowling in really good areas and moving the ball quite a lot. I was constantly fighting myself throughout that first hour. Funny enough, I spoke to Tom Latham at lunch, and I said I almost felt like I forgot how to bat after that first hour&hellip; Just everything felt really awkward.&quot;</p>

<p>However, the conditions changed as the day went on, allowing the openers to settle in. Conway explained, &quot;The ball got a little bit softer, a little bit older, and the wicket actually sped up a little bit. It offered up some good scoring opportunities for me and Tom.&quot; Conway hit an impressive 25 fours, finding rhythm and scoring freely after lunch. &quot;I just try to remind myself to play with freedom, play with a positive mindset, and keep looking to score,&quot; he added.</p>

<h2>Conway Reflects on Pressure and his Role as an Opener</h2>

<p>Having struggled to cross 30 runs in two-thirds of his last 39 innings, Conway has faced pressure due to his recent form. But he remained focused on his role in the team: &quot;I just try and remind myself to just keep doing that, and don&#39;t worry about the runs. Just keep focusing on doing a job for the team and doing a role. I&#39;m pretty happy that it turned over for me today, but I&#39;ve just got to keep focusing on being present and just, as I say, doing a role for the team.&quot;</p>

<p>The challenges of opening the batting are not lost on Conway. He commented on the often-underappreciated role of openers: &quot;[Opening] is a very underappreciated job around the world, not just here. Yeah, it has been a tough ride. Quite often you rock up day one of a Test match and you see it&#39;s pretty green.&quot;</p>

<h2>Acknowledging Latham&#39;s Contributions</h2>

<p>Conway also took time to acknowledge the role of his opening partner, Tom Latham. &quot;A lot of credit needs to go to a guy like Tom Latham, who&#39;s played 90-odd Tests, and he&#39;s done so well. I think he&#39;s scored his 15th Test century, and a lot of those centuries have been here in New Zealand,&quot; said Conway. Latham&#39;s solid performance, which included his 137, played a crucial part in the team&#39;s success.</p>

<p>Conway&rsquo;s highest Test score remains the double-century he scored on debut against England at Lord&#39;s. With just 22 more runs needed to cross that milestone, Conway remains focused on the present: &quot;I think if you look too far ahead, particularly when you&#39;re batting, you can get yourself in trouble. It&#39;s very important for us as a batting group to keep putting [West Indies bowlers] under pressure. Bat for a long period of time because that wicket is going to get flatter, and it will give our spinners an opportunity to do a role later in the Test.&quot;</p>

<h2>Looking Ahead to Day 2</h2>

<p>For Conway, his approach for the next day of play remains simple: &quot;I just want to go out there, stay in the process ball by ball, and just keep doing my thing, building a partnership with others at the other end.&quot;</p>

Devon Conway and Tom Latham put on a remarkable 323-run opening partnership in the third Test against the West Indies at Mount Maunganui.

Conway and Latham's Historic 323-Run Opening Stand

<p>Tom Latham and Devon Conway set the record for the highest opening partnership by New Zealand in a Test match in New Zealand with 323 runs. It is the second-highest opening stand in the Test history of New Zealand, only behind the 387 runs by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis against the West Indies in Georgetown, 1972.</p>

<p>The previous record of 276 opening stands (twice) in 1930 and 1999 in New Zealand. The West Indies took 86.4 overs to claim their wicket, a time which is the fourth longest of the century. The longest was the 114.1 overs taken by Zimbabwe against the West Indies in Bulawayo, 2023.</p>

<p>The 178 that Conway scored on Day 1 is the 3rd highest score of a New Zealand batsman on the opening day of a Test, following Brendon McCullum&rsquo;s 195 against Sri Lanka in 2014 and Latham&#39;s 186 against Bangladesh in 2022, both in Christchurch.</p>

<p>This marked the sixth occasion when both the openers scored centuries in the 483 matches of the New Zealand Test. The last one was in 2019, against Bangladesh, when Latham and Jeet both made centuries.</p>

<p>Moreover, it was the second occasion that Latham and Conway had put together a 150-plus opening partnership in Test cricket. Their previous highest partnership was 183 runs against Pakistan in Karachi, in 2022.</p>

<p>Latham and Conway have a total of 1,721 runs in 43 innings, surpassing the 1,655 runs by John Wright and Bruce Edgar in 56 innings. They are now the most prolific opening pair in the history of New Zealand&#39;s Test cricket.</p>

Latham and Conway break records with a 323-run partnership in NZ's Test match against WI, marking historic milestones in the game.

Latham and Conway Set New Test Opening Partnership Record

<p>New Zealand had made the uncharacteristic decision of batting first at home, which turned out to be a success. Towards the end of the day, the team had piled 334 to 1. Devon Conway and Tom Latham were both instrumental in putting New Zealand in a dominant position at the end of the first day. Their centuries were constructed on long suffering disciplined batting, which aggravated the bowlers of the West Indies and made them seek solutions.</p>

<p>In and out of form in the recent matches, Conway demonstrated why he is a mainstay in the top order of New Zealand. His 178 runs were a masterpiece in batting on a ground that initially provided some movement. In all this, Latham showed the composure of a veteran opener. His 137 was the textbook example of good technique, of playing as close to the body as possible, and playing upon gaps in the field.</p>

<p>The decision of New Zealand to bat was an inspired decision. It was some grass in the beginning, which could have favored the fast bowlers, but the bowlers failed to translate those conditions. When Conway and Latham settled down, it became apparent that the pitch was not as difficult as initially believed. The pair did not waste the chance, and they established a formidable partnership that ruled the day.</p>

<h2>Latham&rsquo;s calmness and Conway&rsquo;s comeback</h2>

<p>Latham&rsquo;s 15th Test Century was the historic one, after which he overtook 6,000 runs as an opener. The move by New Zealand to bat as dictated by the instinct of Latham has paid off despite the fact that the country has been in the tradition of bowling after winning the toss.</p>

<p>Latham was in complete control the entire day, displaying solid defense and aggressive stroke play. His 137-run innings lasted nearly 6 hours, and bowlers of the West Indies were frustrated by his textbook technique and gap-batting skills.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Conway, who had been out of form in recent matches, found his rhythm. Having undergone close bowling, he stood the early times and then added pace. With a difficult pitch and cramps, Conway hit 178 and displayed strength when he managed to hold on, and the bowlers lost strength.</p>

<p>During which he had not scored 30 runs in 26 of his last 39 innings. Conway was playing today with the newfound freedom, and it gave him the second-highest score in Test cricket.</p>

<h2>West Indies&rsquo; missed chances and frustrations</h2>

<p>WI wished to win the first Test series in New Zealand in 30 years, but they were not able to take advantage of the good conditions. Although the pitch initially favored the bowlers, Conway and Latham settled in quickly, with fewer opportunities for breaks.</p>

<p>The third seamer (Anderson Phillip) started well but lacked consistency, finishing with figures of 14-2-71-0. When Latham pushed a ball into the wicket behind, and the catch was dropped, he had a golden chance, though.</p>

<p>Jayden Seales attempted to alter the tempo by bowling short-pitched deliveries, as Neil Wagner did. Even after the rain break, however, West Indies could not build pressure.</p>

<p>Despite an injury to his hand, Conway continued to dominate and even struck a boundary off a loose delivery from Roston Chase. The pitch that was meant to support fast bowlers became less helpful over the course of the day, which gave New Zealand an opportunity to end with a dominant score.</p>

<h2>West Indies&rsquo; lack of discipline and New Zealand&rsquo;s dominance</h2>

<p>The bowlers were also disciplined, which was one of the distinct differences on Day 1. While the West Indies bowlers could be brilliant at times, they failed to consistently hit the correct length, and Conway and Latham were able to form alliances and dominate the game.</p>

<p>They also lacked discipline in the field, and opportunities were wasted. The dropped catch, especially that of Latham, was a missed opportunity, and the bowlers felt the impact of the miss as Latham continued to score.</p>

Conway’s unbeaten 178* and Latham’s 137 put New Zealand in a strong position on Day 1 of the Test against the West Indies in Mount Maunganui.

Conway and Latham dominate, West Indies struggle in Mount Maunganui Test

<p>New Zealand will take on the West Indies in the third Test at Mount Maunganui. The pitch at the venue is expected to offer assistance to spinners, so New Zealand are exploring various options to strengthen that department. Ajaz Patel is one of the Kiwi spinners who could get a chance in the third test, however, Tom Latham hasn&rsquo;t finalized anything regarding his inclusion.</p>

<p>Interestingly, Mitchell Santner is not part of the current squad due to injury, which makes Ajaz Patel&rsquo;s inclusion in the Playing XI more likely. It is also true that Ajaz hasn&rsquo;t played many tests in New Zealand, but that is partly because the Black Caps usually play on seam-friendly pitches at home.</p>

<p>The captain of New Zealand also gave the same answer when asked about this particular question in the press conference. He said Ajaz is a good bowler on spin-friendly pitches, which is why his numbers in subcontinental tests are great.</p>

<p>&quot;You guys probably speak about it more than what we do. Ajaz has performed beautifully in overseas conditions and he hasn&#39;t had a lot of opportunities here in New Zealand due to the surfaces that we play on.&rdquo; said Tom Latham while speaking to the reporters.</p>

<p>He then explained that New Zealand have a good mix of batting all-rounders who can offer spin bowling at different stages of the game. With that in mind, Ajaz Patel&rsquo;s inclusion could become difficult in the upcoming match, although nothing has been finalized yet.</p>

<p>&quot;I think with us having allrounders as well in the group that do bowl spin, it has made his opportunity hard here in New Zealand, from just a strength in our batting point of view. I&#39;m sure if he gets that opportunity he will do everything he can to take a wicket but more importantly do his role for the team as best he can.&quot; said New Zealand captain, Tom Latham.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Applauding the Domestic Record of Ajaz Patel</strong></h2>

<p>He then praised Ajaz Patel&rsquo;s domestic record, saying that taking 400 first-class wickets is a huge achievement for the left-arm spinner. That is the main reason New Zealand continue to keep Ajaz in the loop, as his services are considered vital to the team.</p>

<p>&quot;I think it&#39;s probably his experience, really. I saw the other day that he brought up 400 first-class wickets, which obviously shows he&#39;s got a huge amount of experience and probably knows his game better than probably anyone else.&rdquo; said Tom Latham.</p>

<p>The captain then elaborated on how Ajaz Patel has remained a key bowler for Central Districts over the past few years. His ability to take wickets while applying pressure makes him a valuable asset for the domestic side, which is why the New Zealand management also keeps a close eye on him.</p>

<p>&quot;He has been extremely successful for Central Districts doing what he does in terms of being able to apply pressure, tie an end up, and when the opportunity presents itself, and when a spinner becomes a little bit more attacking, he knows how to bowl in those conditions that are favorable to him.&quot; said Tom Latham.</p>

<p>He then explained New Zealand&rsquo;s strategy in home conditions. The captain acknowledged that pitches at home are prepared to suit their style of play, which is why green surfaces are usually seen in most test matches.</p>

<p>&quot;For us, it&#39;s always been about working together [with the groundstaff] and for them being able to come up with the best cricket wicket that suits our skillset. We&#39;ve certainly seen throughout the last 5-10 years that surfaces have tended to be on the greener side and that certainly suited our balance as much as possible.&quot; concluded Tom Latham.</p>

Tom Latham has not finalized whether Ajaz Patel will play the third test against West Indies. He said the all-rounders in the squad already provide handy spin options to the team.

Latham Non-Committal On Ajaz Despite Expected Turn At Bay Oval

<p>The <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/watch/new-zealand-vs-west-indies-3rd-test-live/178041">3rd test</a> between New Zealand and West Indies is slated to start on December 18 at Mount Maunganui. After giving a commanding performance in the last game, the home side is looking confident to win this match with a big margin. The seam-friendly conditions at Mount Maunganui are expected to help New Zealand put pressure on West Indies, who are struggling to find momentum in the series.</p>

<p>The 2nd test of New Zealand vs West Indies at Wellington looked like a one-sided contest. The Black Caps dominated it from the first day, ensuring not to repeat the mistakes made in the first match. As a result, the Wellington test went in their favor, giving them a crucial 1-0 lead over West Indies in the series.</p>

<p>As far as West Indies are concerned, they will come into the third test with a lot to prove. The visitors didn&rsquo;t showcase anything good with the bat in the Wellington test, so they will need to come up with a better performance in the last match of the series. Their bowling has performed decently in the last two matches; however, they will need to bring something extra to the table in the Mount Maunganui contest.</p>

<p>In this article, we will take a look at how both teams are preparing for the final match of the series. We will first provide a quick recap of the last match to understand how New Zealand secured a comprehensive victory over the West Indies at Wellington.</p>

<h2><strong>A Quick Recap of the Last Match</strong></h2>

<p>The second match of the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/west-indies-tour-of-new-zealand-2025/220/1">New Zealand vs West Indies</a> test series at Wellington exhibited the prowess of Black Caps. The home team entered the game with plenty of lessons learned from the previous match. They showcased better performance with the ball, which became a decisive factor for them to win the match.</p>

<p>In the first innings, West Indies managed to score just 205 runs, as Blair Tickner took 4 wickets to rout the batting lineup of the visitors quickly. In response to that, New Zealand scored 278 runs and declared the innings with a lead of 73.</p>

<p>The West Indies batting lineup then struggled again, as they got out for just 128 runs in the second innings. This eventually gave New Zealand an easy target of 56 runs, which they achieved quickly to secure victory in the second test.</p>

<h2><strong>New Zealand vs West Indies 3</strong><strong>rd</strong><strong> Test: Key Strategy for the Caribbean Team</strong></h2>

<p>West Indies need to find quick fixes in batting before the third test at Mount Maunganui. They are struggling badly with their top order, which has become a major concern for them. The disappointing opening pair of John Campbell and Brandon King can come under more pressure in the seam-friendly conditions at Mount Maunganui if they continue to rely on flawed techniques. It is therefore important for West Indies to reassess their opening options, as making mistakes in this test is not an option for them.</p>

<p>Talking about the bowling plans, West Indies will prefer to bowl first in the seaming conditions of Mount Maunganui. Their bowlers have performed well in the series, so they will come into this match with plenty of confidence. The role of Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales would be crucial, as their striking ability will provide West Indies with an opportunity to apply early pressure on New Zealand.</p>

<h2><strong>New Zealand vs West Indies 3</strong><strong>rd</strong><strong> Test: Key Strategy for the New Zealand Team</strong></h2>

<p>New Zealand will enter the third Test with a set plan that worked well for them in the previous match. They will look to put pressure on the West Indies batters, who are currently struggling to handle the pace and bounce of the NZ pitches. The duo of Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes will aim to take early breakthroughs, helping New Zealand establish a strong position in the match.</p>

<p>As far as batting is concerned, New Zealand will need to do some work in its middle order. In the previous matches, West Indies bowlers found success in removing the middle order of New Zealand quickly, so they need to find an effective solution for that. Besides this, the conditions are in favor of the New Zealand team, so they would be feeling confident to repeat a similar performance against WI in the upcoming match.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Probable Playing XI for West Indies</strong></h2>

<p>Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/roston-chase-talks-about-accountability-after-wellington-defeat/2657-5-0">Roston Chase</a> (captain), Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip, Ojay Shields</p>

<h2><strong>Probable Playing XI for New Zealand</strong></h2>

<p>Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mitch Hay (wk), Glenn Phillips, Zakary Foulkes, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy, Michael Rae</p>

<h2><strong>Final Words</strong></h2>

<p>The upcoming New Zealand vs West Indies test match at Mount Maunganui would be a competitive contest because both teams are looking for a win. New Zealand will try to secure a victory to clinch the series, whereas West Indies will aim to outclass the Kiwis to level the series. It will therefore be an exciting match in which fans will experience quality cricket from both sides.</p>

New Zealand and West Indies will take on each other in the third test at Mount Maunganui. The home side will try to secure a victory to clinch the series by 2-0.

New Zealand vs West Indies 3rd Test Match Full Analysis

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