third day of mid first test new zealand and this west indies were clearly related to the domestic side. Continuing to chase a huge first innings lead, New Zealand ended the day with a strong score of 417/4 and a huge lead of 481 runs. The story of the day was dominated by two brilliant performances: a classic, composed century from the opener Tom Latham And a dazzling, career-defining innings from the youngsters Rachin RavindraWhose partnership broke the morale of the visiting attack. With West Indies struggling to take wickets, New Zealand have now put themselves firmly in a position to push for victory in the final two days.
Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra lead the way with brilliant centuries
The cornerstone of New Zealand’s innings was the tremendous partnership between Latham and Ravindra. The Black Caps captain, who is known for his serious nature, led the innings brilliantly and scored 145 runs. He mixed cautious defense with selective aggression, ensuring that the West Indies bowlers could never find any rhythm.
However, it was Ravindra’s explosive talent that really lit up the Hagley Oval. The young all-rounder batted with maturity and fluency and showed why he is considered one of New Zealand’s most talented players. His brilliant innings of 176 were full of brilliant drives and powerful strikes, which accelerated the scoring rate dramatically throughout the mid-season. The partnership between the two scored hundreds of runs, effectively decimating the West Indies bowling unit and turning a good score into an insurmountable one.
West Indies bowling attack failed
For the tourists, it was a long, painful day in the field. After briefly showing glimpses of promise early in the match, the West Indies bowlers lacked the penetration and consistency required to challenge world-class batting on a flat pitch. The fast bowlers looked tired and the spin options were ineffective, leading to a lack of real wicket-taking opportunities.
Although a few wickets fell towards the end of the day, which brought some relief, the damage was already done. The inability to stem the flow of runs or apply sustained pressure allowed New Zealand’s batsmen to build large partnerships at will, putting the West Indies under immense mental stress.
Also read: NZ vs WI 2025, Test Series: Schedule, Squad, Broadcast and Live Streaming Details
HUGE LEADERSHIP AND DECLARATION COMING OUT
Deciding New Zealand on day four will be the next important chapter. With a lead of 481 runs and six wickets still remaining, an announcement is expected in the morning session. The aim will be to give their bowlers enough time – possibly two full days – to bowl out West Indies twice.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Brilliant innings from Rachin Ravindra and he completed his fourth test century.
= @PhotoSportNZ pic.twitter.com/tBg4OceY0s
– Blackcaps (@BLACKCAPS) 4 December 2025
Brilliant performance by Rachin Ravindra in the test against West Indies. pic.twitter.com/lAzAT8Wfj4
– Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) 4 December 2025
Brilliant innings by Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra against West Indies in the first test.#NZvWI #Rachinarvindra #tomlatham pic.twitter.com/w5pr49wgMH
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 4 December 2025
• Rachin Ravindra has 4 Test centuries, all against different teams:
South Africa
India
zimbabwe
West Indies*• Rachin Ravindra has 5 ODI centuries to his name, all against different teams:
England
Australia
Pakistan
bangladesh
South Africa pic.twitter.com/k9rWFGAGX5– All Cricket Records (@Cric_records45) 4 December 2025
Rachin Ravindra scored 176 runs in 185 balls
– Rachin Ravindra batted brilliantly, scored 176 runs with the help of 27 fours, 1 six, strike rate 95.14. pic.twitter.com/cykSVpmgdg
– Sahil Singhadiya (@SahilSinghadiya) 4 December 2025
Hundred for Rachin Ravindra.
Rachin scored a brilliant century in this test match against West Indies in just 108 balls, his fourth test century – what a brilliant century by Rachin Ravindra. pic.twitter.com/4nJf56NJoL
– Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) 4 December 2025
The best youth of this generation. Already brilliant in ODIs and Tests. He just needs to achieve success in T20 once, no one will come close to him. He will make hundreds of records.
Rachin Ravindra, great talented batsman. pic.twitter.com/A0hUasA73b
– Rachin Prachar (@priyasol1407_) 4 December 2025
Highest 150+ score for New Zealand in Test before the age of 27:-
5- Kane Williamson
4- Tom Latham
3*-Rachin Ravindra
3-Martin Crowe
3-Matthew Sinclair#NZvWI-Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay (@_rhitankar_) 4 December 2025
It is great for Tom Latham to score 100 against West Indies at home after doing nothing against India and England. pic.twitter.com/5ZhTApT4qa
– Tom O’Neil (@thomasjameoneil) 4 December 2025
6000 test runs for Thomas William Maxwell Latham.
One of the greatest test opening batsmen of this generation 🐐🙌 pic.twitter.com/btkNVGkLdW
– Sweet (@Lommy0Tatham) 4 December 2025
Tom Latham becomes fifth New Zealand player to score 6K Test runs
Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/1r55G0qm5Q
– Kiwi Cricket Fan 🇳🇿 (@Kiwiscricketfan) 4 December 2025
Captain Tom Latham 🫡 pic.twitter.com/VgOgCkRhZn
— (@Visharad_KW22) 4 December 2025
Tom Latham has overtaken John Wright in terms of scoring most Test runs as an opening batsman in New Zealand. He has done this in 76 innings. Wright scored 78 runs.
– Michael Wagner (@Mykuhl) 4 December 2025
I believe it is impressive for Tom Latham to score his 14th Test century
– Renée (@rencarrot) 4 December 2025
Tom Latham is probably the best Test opener of this generation.
– Reynolds (@Allison_Reyonds) 4 December 2025
