WI vs NZ, 1st ODI: Lawes, Hope, Alzarri and Carty help West Indies draw first blood

West Indies struck the opening blow in the five‑match ODI series against New Zealand, clinching the first game by seven wickets at Providence Stadium in Guyana on July 11. Alzarri Joseph’s fiery spell of 4/41, debutant Vitel Lawes’ 3/54, Player of the Match Keacy Carty’s composed 95, and captain Shai Hope’s unbeaten 87 were the cornerstones of a dominant victory.

Hope’s decision to field first did not pay immediate dividends as New Zealand’s openers Will Young (49) and Henry Nicholls (27) negotiated the new ball comfortably, adding 80 runs for the first wicket. Nicholls was the first to fall, handing Lawes his maiden international wicket with a mistimed pull to Khary Pierre at midwicket. Young followed soon after, offering a simple caught‑and‑bowled chance to Gudakesh Motie, falling one short of his fifty.

New Zealand squandered the advantage of their solid start. Mark Chapman (27) and Tom Latham (25) both got in but failed to convert. Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings with a fluent 65 off 73 balls, adding 65 runs for the fifth wicket alongside Michael Bracewell (29). Yet both departed in quick succession, leaving the innings deflated. Captain Mitchell Santner chipped in with 21 off 17, but the visitors were bowled out for 267 in 49.5 overs. Joseph was the standout bowler, claiming the prized wicket of Mitchell and leading the attack with pace and precision.

The pitch offered some assistance to bowlers but was far from unplayable. West Indies lost John Campbell early with just 28 on the board, but Ackeem Auguste and Carty rebuilt with a 64‑run stand. Jayden Lennox dismissed Auguste in the 19th over, but Hope’s arrival calmed nerves.

Hope and Carty combined for a match‑defining 131‑run partnership for the third wicket, effectively shutting New Zealand out of the contest. By the time Carty fell in the 44th over, West Indies were already cruising at 223. From there, it was a matter of formality.

Carty’s innings was full of maturity and character, featuring 10 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 84.82. Hope finished unbeaten on 87, decorated with four boundaries and four sixes, guiding his side home in the 49th over alongside Sherfane Rutherford, who chipped in with a brisk 22 off 16 balls.