Carty’s innings wasn’t without controversy. On 70, after hitting Jacob Duffy for six, replays showed Carty’s bat had knocked the bail off his own stumps, only for the third umpire to rule the ball had already cleared the rope to deem it not out.
While the Black Caps’ squad was weakened by rotation after last month’s test series win over England, New Zealand can still be disappointed after an equally depleted side managed to claim a maiden ODI series win in India earlier this year.
The Black Caps watch as Keacy Carty is given not out during an umpire review for hit wicket. Photo / Randy Brooks, AFP
Victory, meanwhile, is a huge boost for the West Indies. Currently ranked 10th in the world, there is a chance the two-time champions will miss automatic qualification for next year’s ODI World Cup, considering a place will be given to co-hosts Zimbabwe.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat, Will Young (49) and Henry Nicholls (27) made the hosts work for a breakthrough and added 80 in 97 balls for the first wicket – New Zealand’s highest opening partnership against the West Indies in the Caribbean.
However, a top order wobble saw the Black Caps fall to 125-3 just shy of halfway, as Lawes put the brakes on New Zealand’s start.
As is so often the case, Mitchell was charged with guiding New Zealand to a competitive total. The world’s top-ranked ODI batter was steady through the accumulation phase, and shared partnerships of 44 with Tom Latham (25) and 65 with Michael Bracewell (29) to reach 50 in 56 deliveries.
But at 234-4 and with a big finish in sight, the Black Caps’ middle and lower order fell away cheaply to be bowled out for 267. Mitchell hit seven boundaries and one six in his stay but holed out to wide long-on on the 46th over, as a cameo of 21 from 17 balls to captain Mitchell Santner at the very least took the total past 250.
Daryl Mitchell against the West Indies in Guyana. Photo / Photosport
Defending 268, the damp conditions naturally left the Black Caps’ attack on the back foot.
Coming together at 92-2, Carty and Hope kept the required rate in check on their way to victory. On 48, Carty survived a close LBW shout off Santner and subsequent review and made his way to a 67-ball half-century.
He was joined by Hope, who needed just 52 balls to raise his bat, before bringing up the century stand by hitting Jayden Lennox back over his head for six.
And despite the required rate climbing above a run-a-ball in the final 10 overs, once Carty fell caught after slog-sweeping Michael Bracewell (1-33), Hope kept his composure to guide the West Indies home, with support from Sherfane Rutherford (22 not out).
Both sides have a short turnaround into the second match of five, to be played at the same venue on Tuesday (NZT).
New Zealand 267 all out (Mitchell 65; A Joseph 4-41)
West Indies 268-3 (Carty 95, Hope 87 not out; Bracewell 1-33)
West Indies win by seven wickets
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.