Carty, Hope power West Indies to 7-wicket win over New Zealand

PROVIDENCE — Keacy Carty scored 95 and Shai Hope hit an unbeaten 87 to guide the West Indies to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first One-Day International in Guyana on Saturday. The pair shared a crucial 131-run third-wicket partnership as the hosts chased down New Zealand’s 267 with seven balls to spare.

​Carty anchored the chase alongside opener Akeem Auguste (38) before uniting with Hope. Despite a close call at 64—where umpires ruled he hadn’t hit his wicket—Carty reached 95 off 112 balls before holing out just shy of his century. Hope then took total control, striking an unbeaten 87 and finishing the match alongside Sherfane Rutherford (22*) via two decisive sixes in the 49th over.

​Earlier, New Zealand won the toss but struggled to capitalize on a strong start. Openers Will Young (49) and Henry Nicholls (27) built an 80-run platform, and allrounder Daryl Mitchell top-scored with a gritty 65.

​However, the Black Caps collapsed dramatically. Well-positioned at 216-4 in the 40th over and eyeing a score over 300, New Zealand lost their final six wickets for just 33 runs. Middle-order batters Michael Bracewell (29), Mark Chapman (27), and Tom Latham (25) all failed to convert their starts.

​Debut skipper Vitel Lawes led the West Indies’ bowling fightback, dismissing Nicholls, Chapman, and Bracewell to finish with impressive figures of 3-54.

​The clinical run chase gives the West Indies a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, with the second ODI scheduled at the same venue on Monday.

Summarised scores

NEW ZEALAND 267 in 49.5 overs (Daryl Mitchell 65, Will Young 49, Michael Bracewell 29, Mark Chapman 27, Henry Nicholls 27, Tom Latham 25, Mitchell Santner 21; Alzarri Joseph 4-41, Vitel Lawes 3-54, Gudakesh Motie 2-51).

WEST INDIES 268-3 in 48.5 overs (Keacy Carty 95, Shai Hope 87 not out, Ackeem Auguste 38, Sherfane Rutherford 22 not out, John Campbell 11).