Introduction
The historic Frank Worrell Trophy rivalry resumes, with Australia due to head to the Caribbean for a three-match Test series against the West Indies. The opening match will unfold at the iconic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, and will mark the beginning of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for both teams.
Australia heads into the contest as overwhelming favorites. They have a win probability of 71%, the West Indies just 16%, and the draw is at 13%. However, after their stunning loss to the Windies at the Gabba in January 2024, the Aussies know better than to underestimate their hosts.
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Match Information & Television Details
Match: West Indies take on Australia, 1st Test
Date: June 25th-30th, 2025
Match Start Time: 2:00 PM (UTC)
Venue: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Historical Rivalry & Head-to-Head
This is one of the oldest rivalries in cricket; it is also one of the biggest rivalries. Check out their historic encounters here:
Total Tests: 120
Australia Wins: 61
West Indies Wins: 33
Drawn: 25
Tied: 1
Last met: January 2024, Gabba (West Indies won by 8 runs)
Although over time Australia has been dominant, West Indies showed earlier this year when they won the Gabba that miracles do happen.
Team News and Squad Changes
West Indies
Leader: Roston Chase (first test match as captain)
Notable Inclusion: Shai Hope, John Campbell, Johann Layne.
Out: Joshua Da Silva, Kemar Roach
The West Indies are going through a transition. Roston Chase as captain and Jomel Warrican as vice-captain will look to turn around the Test fortunes.
Australia
Leader: Pat Cummins, Captain.
Key players absent: Steve Smith (injury) and Marnus Labuschagne (dropped).
Notable Inclusion: Josh Inglis, Sam Konstas.
With Smith ruled out with a finger injury and Labuschagne dropped for lack of form, there was a shuffle and good opportunities for Josh Inglis and Sam Konstas.
Likely Playing XIs
Australia:
Usman Khawaja
Sam Konstas
Josh Inglis
Cameron Green
Travis Head
Beau Webster
Alex Carey (wk)
Pat Cummins (c)
Mitchell Starc
Josh Hazlewood
Matthew Kuhnemann
West Indies:
Kraigg Brathwaite
Mikyle Louis
Shai Hope
John Campbell
Brandon King
Roston Chase (c)
Justin Greaves
Alzarri Joseph
Jomel Warrican (VC)
Shamar Joseph
Jayden Seales
Pitch Report & Weather Forecast
Kensington Oval Pitch Report
Type of surface: Free scoring for batters at first but spin-friendly as the test goes on.
1st Innings Average Score: 333
Best Option When Winning Toss: Bowl first
Weather Forecaster
Temperature: 26–31°C
Winds: Southeasterly (10–26 km/h)
Rain Prediction: Last day rain likely
Bridgetown's surface has historically allowed batters to score freely in the early days of the match, with spinners taking over from day 3. Rain could also be a major factor on the last day.
Stats
Nathan Lyon: 52 wickets in 12 Tests against the West Indies (averaged 22).
Travis Head: 2 centuries against the West Indies and averaged 87.
Mitchell Starc & Josh Hazlewood: 65 wickets in 8 Tests against WI.
Jomel Warrican: 27 wickets in his last 4 Tests.
Key Players to Watch
Australia:
Usman Khawaja: Averaging 62 in 2025; 517 runs in 6 tests vs. WI
Travis Head: Two centuries vs. WI; the highest is 175.
Pat Cummins: 6 wickets in WTC Final; 38 wickets in last 8 Tests
Josh Inglis: Test debut hundred in Sri Lanka, batting in Australia at 3.
West Indies:
Shamar Joseph: Hero of Gabba Test with 7/68
Jomel Warrican: Important spinner, took 28 wickets in 4 tests
Jayden Seales: Equation pacer, 38 wickets in 8 tests.
Tactical Preview & Match Prediction
Australia's new top order without Smith and Labuschagne will come under early pressure. A tough ask on a wicket that helps the new ball and then dries out. With the Dukes ball in play, one has to wonder how much swing will help in both directions.
Could Australia play two spinners if Kuhnemann plays supporting Lyon? They will rely heavily on Shamar Joseph's pace and Warrican's spin to keep things tight and strike.
Toss Prediction: Bowl First
Match Prediction: Australia to win
Australia has a deeper squad and much more experience than the WI players, and they have firepower even with new players. WI will need to play above their weight to stay competitive.
Current Betting Odds from Stake.com
According to Stake.com, the current betting odds for West Indies and Australia are 4.70 and 1.16, respectively.
Final Thoughts on the Match
The 1st Test match between the West Indies and Australia is set to deliver high drama and entertaining cricket. For the Australians, this will be a new World Test Championship cycle and a chance for players to present a mini-Ashes audition. For the West Indies, there is redemption to be had, pride on the line, and a chance to finally prove that Gabba was not simply a one-off fluke.
While the West Indies have some potential in their bowling, their batting looks fragile against one of the best bowling attacks in the world. Australia still has the edge, even without two star players in Smith and Labuschagne; they have an in-form batter and a core bowling group.
Prediction: Australia to beat the West Indies to take a 1-0 series lead.
