The Black Caps suffered a setback in their opening match of the five one-day internationals against the West Indies in Guyana due to a batting collapse.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted a total of 267, being dismissed with just one delivery left in their 50-over innings.
The West Indies, propelled by a crucial 131-run partnership between Keacy Carty, who scored 95 off 112 balls, and captain Shai Hope, who remained unbeaten on 87 from 92 balls, paced their chase expertly to secure a seven-wicket win, finishing with seven balls to spare.
The Black Caps began positively, with Will Young scoring 49 off 63 balls and Henry Nicholls adding 27 from 43, contributing to an 80-run opening stand. Mark Chapman chipped in with 27 off 26 balls, while Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 65 from 73 deliveries.
New Zealand appeared well-positioned at 169 for three in the 33rd over with Tom Latham at the crease, who scored 25 from 30 balls, until he was given out lbw. Mitchell, alongside Michael Bracewell who added 29 from 31 balls, advanced the score to 234 for four. However, Bracewell’s dismissal ignited a collapse, with the final six wickets falling for just 33 runs.
Alzarri Joseph claimed two wickets in the closing over to finish with figures of four for 41, while Vitel Lawes took three for 54 on a pitch offering low bounce and occasional sharp turn.
The Black Caps managed to dismiss Windies opener John Campbell early, and after Ackeem Auguste was out for 38, Carty and Hope crafted a match-winning stand. The pair was eventually separated when Carty, nearing a century, was caught in the deep off Bracewell’s bowling in the 44th over following a slog sweep attempt.
Earlier, New Zealand believed they had dismissed Carty when he accidentally knocked his stumps with his bat after hitting a six, but the third umpire ruled he had completed his stroke, thus avoiding dismissal.
In the closing stages, Hope and Sherfane Rutherford, who scored 22 not out off 16 balls, needed 13 runs from the penultimate over. Hope struck debutant Matt Fisher’s first delivery for six, and after taking a single, Rutherford finished the game with another six on the fifth ball.
Despite bowling well, Fisher was unfortunate not to take wickets, while Duffy, Bracewell, and Jayden Lennox each claimed one wicket.
The second ODI is scheduled to be played in Guyana on Tuesday.
