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The third Test at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, looms as the series decider between New Zealand and West Indies, with the hosts holding a 1-0 lead after a gritty draw in the opener and a commanding nine-wicket triumph in the second Test at Wellington.
New Zealand’s makeshift attack, led by Jacob Duffy‘s match-winning 5/38, dismantled West Indies for 128 in their second innings, while Devon Conway and Kane Williamson raced to the modest chase, underscoring Kiwi dominance in seam-friendly conditions. West Indies, captained by Roston Chase, faltered despite Shai Hope‘s resistance, now desperate to level the series and salvage pride ahead of the 2027 World Test Championship qualifiers.
Tom Latham‘s New Zealand, bolstered by Conway, Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, and spinners Ajaz Patel and Michael Bracewell, eye a clean sweep, while West Indies rely on Hope, Chase, and seamers Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales for a rare Tauranga upset—their first Test win in New Zealand since 1995.
Mount Maunganui Weather Forecast for third Test
Day 1
Day 1 sets up ideal conditions for a full moving‑day start, with a pleasant 22°C, a low of 14°C, and just 25% rain risk, meaning minimal interruption but enough westerly breeze at 19 km/h to aid swing and make the first session tricky for openers. With real feel at 22° and decent sunshine windows, the ball should seam for the first hour before flattening out, encouraging captains to bat first while bowlers remain interested if they hit the deck hard.
Day 2
Day 2 stays around 22°C with a slightly higher overnight base of 16°C and only 7% precipitation, suggesting uninterrupted play and a brightening sky later in the day, which will accelerate drying and keep the surface good for batting. The steady westerly breeze again helps carry for slip cordons, but with moderate UV, the pitch should bake just enough to quicken run‑scoring as the ball softens.
Day 3
Day 3 cools marginally to 21°C/11°C but features extreme UV (index 11) and a slightly stronger westerly at 22 km/h, effectively turning it into the classic moving day when cracks begin to open and reverse swing potentially comes into play. Batting will still be rewarding for set players, yet fresh spells with the older ball could produce bursts of wickets.
Day 4
Day 4 again hovers around 22°C/10°C with just 3% rain and a breezy afternoon, so any deterioration will be pitch‑driven rather than weather‑induced, ideal for spinners hunting rough outside the right‑hander’s off stump. Limited sun and moderate UV mean the surface is unlikely to break up dramatically, but variable bounce could creep in and make fourth‑innings strokeplay hazardous.
Day 5
Day 5 is forecast at 21°C with a relatively warm 17°C overnight and mostly cloudy skies, keeping conditions comfortable but slightly humid as the finish line nears. With only around 9% rain risk and lighter winds at 17 km/h, a full day’s play should be possible, setting up a genuine chance of a fifth‑day result if either side has been forced to follow on or is chasing a tricky total on an aging surface that offers enough to both spin and disciplined seam.
