West Indies stormed to a 7-wicket win over New Zealand in the first ODI at Providence Stadium, Guyana, with debutant Vitel Lawes and Keacy Carty leading the charge. A disciplined bowling display restricted New Zealand to 267, before Carty (95) and Shai Hope (87*) steered the chase with a match-winning 131-run stand.
Lawes and Joseph dismantle New Zealand
New Zealand’s innings never truly ignited despite promising starts. Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 65, but 19-year-old left-arm wrist spinner Lawes (3-54) and Alzarri Joseph (4-41) kept the pressure on. Lawes struck early, removing Henry Nicholls for his first international wicket, while Joseph mopped up the tail to bowl New Zealand out for 267 in 49.5 overs.
Carty and Hope power West Indies to victory
West Indies’ reply began with a flurry—John Campbell and Ackeem Auguste capitalized on Jacob Duffy’s erratic opening over (8 wides). After Campbell fell, Carty and Auguste added 64, but it was the Carty-Hope partnership that broke the game open. The duo blunted New Zealand’s attack for over 150 deliveries, smashing boundaries off Mitchell Santner and Jayden Lennox. Carty narrowly missed a century, but Hope’s unbeaten 87* sealed the win with a six in the 49th over.
Key moments and turning points
New Zealand’s fielding couldn’t match their bowling. Santner’s diving catch attempt off Hope was ruled inconclusive, while Carty survived an lbw review on umpire’s call. The 100-run stand between Carty and Hope came up with a six off Lennox, and though Carty fell five short of a ton, Rutherford and Hope finished the job with back-to-back sixes off Lockie Ferguson.
- New Zealand: 267 all out in 49.5 overs (Daryl Mitchell 65, Will Young 49; Alzarri Joseph 4-41, Vitel Lawes 3-54)
- West Indies: 268/3 in 48.5 overs (Keacy Carty 95, Shai Hope 87*; Jayden Lennox 1-55)
- Result: West Indies win by 7 wickets
