NZ vs WI ODI Series: Carty, Hope lead West Indies to 7-wicket win over New Zealand

By Michelangelo Jacobus

Keacy Carty narrowly missed a century while Captain Shai Hope produced an unbeaten half-century as the West Indies defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the opening One-Day International (ODI) at the National Stadium, Providence, on Saturday.
Chasing 268 for victory, West Indies reached 268 for three in 48.5 overs, with Carty scoring 95 and Hope finishing unbeaten on 87. Their crucial 131-run partnership for the third wicket ensured the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Carty struck 10 fours and two sixes during his 112-ball innings, while Hope faced 92 deliveries and counted four fours and four sixes. Sherfane Rutherford provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 22 from 16 balls.
There was no stage during the run chase when West Indies appeared to lose control. John Campbell was dismissed for 11 with the score at 28 before Ackeem Auguste and Carty added 64 for the second wicket.
Auguste made a patient 38 from 58 balls before he was sharply caught behind by Tom Latham off Jayden Lennox at 92 for two. Carty and Hope then took the game away from New Zealand, carrying the total to 223 before Carty was caught by Nathan Smith off Michael Bracewell in the 44th over, just five short of a fifth ODI century.
Hope and Rutherford completed the chase without further loss. Jacob Duffy, Lennox and Bracewell claimed one wicket each for New Zealand.
Earlier, debutant Vitel Lawes and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph combined for seven wickets as New Zealand were bowled out for 267 in 49.5 overs.
The 19-year-old Lawes impressed with three for 54 from 10 overs, while Joseph returned in the closing stages with an explosive spell to finish with four for 41 from 8.5 overs.
New Zealand had built a solid foundation, led by Daryl Mitchell’s 65 from 73 balls and Will Young’s 49 from 63. Mitchell struck seven fours and one six, while Young counted five boundaries.
The visitors were well placed at 234 for four in the 44th over, but West Indies claimed their final six wickets for just 33 runs. Lawes removed Michael Bracewell for 29 before Joseph dismissed Mitchell, Nathan Smith, Mitchell Santner and Matthew Fisher during the late collapse.
Gudakesh Motie supported with two for 51, while Khary Pierre claimed one for 39 from his 10 overs.
The crowd increased steadily throughout the day, with a sizeable and vocal turnout witnessing West Indies make an ideal start to the series under favourable weather conditions.
The two sides will meet again on Monday for the second of three matches at Providence, another day/night fixture which bowls off at 14:30h.