West Indies romped to a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the first One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand in Guyana. Keacy Carty scored 95, while Shai Hope scored an unbeaten 87 to lead their side to a comfortable victory. The duo added 131 for the third wicket to put West Indies in a commanding position, chasing 268.
Carty misses out on ton
Carty came in to bat early in the fifth over after John Campbell was dismissed for just 11. He then put on 64 for the second wicket with Ackeem Auguste (38). But it was the next partnership between Carty and Hope that sealed the game for the West Indies, before Sherfane Rutherford (22*) provided the finishing touches.
Carty dominated the New Zealand bowling, smashing 10 fours and a couple of sixes along the way, missing out on his fifth ODI century by just five runs. However, Hope ensured there were no further damage as he batted through.
There was a moment of controversy when Carty was batting. In the 35th over, Carty smashed Jacob Duffy for a six over backward square leg, but in his follow-through he knocked the bails off.
The umpires had a discussion and decided that it was not hit-wicket as the batter had already completed the shot. Carty made the best of that opportunity and went on to make a match-winning contribution.
NZ fail to make best of starts
New Zealand were put in to bat first and made a decent start, with Henry Nicholls (27) and Will Young (49) putting on 80 for the first wicket. All the batters got off to starts, but it was Daryl Mitchell who made it count with a useful 65. Mark Chapman (27), Tom Latham (25), Michael Bracewell (29) and Mitchell Santner (21) also chipped in with useful runs.
Pacer Alzarri Joseph was the pick of the bowlers with 4/41 while debutant Vitel Lawes finished with 3/54. New Zealand will hope to bounce back in the five-match series when they face the Windies again on July 13 (Monday) at the same venue.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 267 in 49.5 overs (Daryl Mitchell 65, Will Young 49; Alzarri Joseph 4/41) lost to West Indies 268/3 in 48.5 overs (Keacy Carty 95, Shai Hope 87*; Michael Bracewell 1/33)
Player of the Match: Keacy Carty
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