WI vs AUS, 2025: West Indies vs Australia, 1st Test Match Preview

The first game of the three-match Test series between West Indies and Australia is set to take place at the Bridgetown in Barbados on June 25. This will be the first series of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle for both teams.

The Caribbeans have been struggling in red-ball cricket and have not won a Test series since 2023 against Zimbabwe. There are some big changes within the Test squad, with spin-bowling all-rounder Roston Chase being named as the newest Test skipper, after Kraigg Brathwaite stepped down from the position. This will be another big challenge for a side that is still finding its feet in red-ball cricket.

The Australian team is currently the number one-ranked Test side in international cricket. Though they have suffered a heartbreaking loss against South Africa in the WTC final, the Pat Cummins-led side emerged victorious in the last three Test series they have played. They will be looking to show their dominance in the format going into the series and start the latest WTC cycle afresh.

The two teams last time squared off in a two-match Test series down under last season, where they drew the series 1-1. This was also the series where the West Indies breached the Gabba fortress thanks to a brilliant spell by Shamar Joseph in the second Test. They will be hoping to repeat another historic feat on their home ground as well.

Match Details

Kensington Oval, Bridgetown Pitch Report

Speaking of the surface in Bridgetown, Barbados, it has mostly been a pitch that has supported the batters a lot. While the pacers get a lot of assistance with the new ball, the conditions seem to get better as the game progresses. The last Test match played at this ground was a high-scoring game between West Indies and England, which ended in a draw. Opting to field first can be a beneficial option at this venue.

WI vs AUS Head-to-Head Record in Tests:

WI vs AUS Probable Playing XI

West Indies:

Kraigg Brathwaite, Mikyle Louis, Shai Hope (wk), Keacy Carty, John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (c), Alzarri Joseph, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales

Australia:

Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood