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.

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.

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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

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