![West Indies and New Zealand are set to play a three-Test series next year, the first such series between two non-Big Three teams since 2019.](https://www.wisden.com/static-assets/waf-images/1a/8f/d1/16-9/vQy1WicsjF.png?v=23.07&w=1200)
West Indies and New Zealand are set to play a three-Test series next year, the first such series between two non-Big Three teams since 2019.
On Wednesday (February 5), Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the schedule for their senior international teams in 2025. The end of the calendar year for the men's team will see them tour India, Bangladesh and New Zealand back-to-back-to-back, meaning they will be on the road for three months between September 21 and December 23.
The last of those tours, to New Zealand, is an all-format one comprising five T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests. Long white-ball tours are relatively common, but ever since the World Test Championship was introduced, there has been a drastic reduction in the number of Test series which last three matches or more.
Australia, England and India, the 'Big Three' regularly play each other in four- and five-Test series, and take part in three-Test series against other teams – India played New Zealand, and England hosted West Indies and Sri Lanka for three-Test series in 2024.
However, the last three-Test series which did not involve any of these teams came in 2018-19, when Pakistan toured South Africa. The hosts won all three matches, by six wickets, nine wickets and 107 runs respectively.
Read more: Dimuth Karunaratne retires: Full list of players with 100 or more Test appearances
In 2018, both New Zealand and West Indies were involved in three-Test series against non-Big Three teams – the Black Caps beat Pakistan 2-1 in the UAE and West Indies drew 1-1 with Sri Lanka at home.
WTC rules require each team to play six series over a two-year period – three at home and three away. A series must also contain at least two matches. In order to fit in the required number of series in a jam-packed cricketing calendar, most teams end up organising two-match series.
An additional factor involved is the cost of hosting Test matches, which is a burden for boards outside the Big Three, who do not earn as much ICC revenue, and may struggle to secure broadcasting rights. Most Tests end up as loss-making ventures financially, further encouraging shorter series.
West Indies men's confirmed fixture list for 2025
Date | Match | Venue |
May 21, 2025 | First ODI vs Ireland | Malahide, Dublin |
May 23, 2025 | Second ODI vs Ireland | Malahide, Dublin |
May 25, 2025 | Third ODI vs Ireland | Malahide, Dublin |
May 29, 2025 | First ODI vs England | Headingley |
June 01, 2025 | Second ODI vs England | Cardiff |
June 03, 2025 | Third ODI vs England | Kia Oval |
June 06, 2025 | First T20I vs England | Trent Bridge |
June 08, 2025 | Second T20I vs England | Bristol |
June 10, 2025 | Third T20I vs England | Rose Bowl |
June 12, 2025 | First T20I vs Ireland | Stormont, Belfast |
June 14, 2025 | Second T20I vs Ireland | Stormont, Belfast |
June 15, 2025 | Third T20I vs Ireland | Stormont, Belfast |
June 25-29, 2025 | First Test vs Australia | Kensington Oval, Barbados |
July 3-7, 2025 | Second Test vs Australia | Grenada National Stadium |
July 12-16, 2025 | Third Test vs Australia | Sabina Park, Jamaica |
July 20, 2025 | First T20 vs Australia | Sabina Park, Jamaica |
July 22, 2025 | Second T20 vs Australia | Sabina Park, Jamaica |
July 25, 2025 | Third T20 vs Australia | Warner Park, St Kitts |
July 26, 2025 | Fourth T20 vs Australia | Warner Park, St Kitts |
July 28, 2025 | Fifth T20 vs Australia | Warner Park, St Kitts |
July 31, 2025 | First T20 vs Pakistan | Broward County, Florida |
August 2, 2025 | Second T20 vs Pakistan | Broward County, Florida |
August 3, 2025 | Third T20 vs Pakistan | Broward County, Florida |
August 8, 2025 | First ODI vs Pakistan | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad |
August 10, 2025 | Second ODI vs Pakistan | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad |
August 12, 2025 | Third ODI vs Pakistan | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad |
-Tours of India (2 Tests), Bangladesh (3 ODIs + 3 T20Is) and New Zealand (5 T20Is + 3 ODIs + 3 Tests) confirmed, fixture list yet to be released
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.