The West Indies men's cricket team has an exciting schedule lined up for 2025, featuring a combination of Test matches and limited-overs formats that will shape their preparations for upcoming international tournaments. Among the most anticipated events is a three-match Test series against Australia, set to unfold from June 25 to July 16. This series marks the commencement of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and will be played for the prestigious Frank Worrell Trophy, symbolizing the fierce rivalry between the two nations. This series will serve as Daren Sammy's first assignment as the head coach of the men's team, succeeding Andre Coley, who has been guiding the red-ball format.
The first Test will take place at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados, followed by the second Test at the Grenada National Stadium. The series will culminate at Sabina Park in Jamaica, where the West Indies will aim to assert their dominance against the Australians. Following the Test series, the team will shift focus to the shorter format, playing five T20 Internationals to further entertain their fans.
As the summer progresses, the West Indies will conclude their home season with series against Pakistan, featuring three T20 internationals and three One Day Internationals scheduled from July 31 to August 12. The Broward County Stadium in Florida will host the T20 encounters, while the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad will be the venue for the ODIs.
Once the home season is complete, the West Indies will embark on an extensive travel itinerary, beginning with a tour to India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand from September 21 to December 23. The players are set to engage in a vigorous program, with three ODIs and three T20Is planned in Bangladesh. The New Zealand leg of the tour will be particularly demanding, comprising all three formats: three Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is. This series will not only test the team’s endurance but also their adaptive skills across different playing conditions.
In light of the West Indies' failure to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup, the upcoming matches will be crucial for their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The team will play three ODIs in Ireland and an additional three ODIs in England as part of their preparation strategy. During these tours, the West Indies will also compete in three T20 internationals against both Ireland and England, which will provide essential practice ahead of major competitions.
The West Indies women's cricket team is also gearing up for a challenging year. Their 2025 campaign will kick off with World Cup qualifiers scheduled in Pakistan from April 4 to 19. This tournament will feature six teams vying for two coveted spots in the World Cup taking place in India later in the year.
Following the qualifiers, the West Indies women will travel to England for a series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs from May 21 to June 8. The 3Ws Oval in Barbados will host their home matches later in the season against South Africa, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is. The women's team will also partake in a series in Ireland, playing three ODIs from May 21 to May 25, followed by matches in England, including fixtures at Headingley, Cardiff, and The Oval between May 29 and June 3. This busy schedule will conclude in Ireland with three T20 fixtures in Belfast.
The West Indies women's team will have a brief gap before their World Cup qualifiers, which is critical for them to solidify their strategies and team composition. Similarly, the men's team will have a ten-day preparation period before their opening Test against Australia in Barbados, allowing the players to regroup and focus on tactics.
As such, the cricketing year of 2025 promises significant opportunities for both the West Indies men's and women's teams. The men will embark on an intense calendar, testing their mettle against formidable opponents while the women aim to reclaim their place on the global stage. The outcomes of these matches hold the potential for meaningful growth and development for both teams in the international cricket arena.