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Batting blues: Blackcaps stumble to ODI loss
AP • July 12th, 2026 5:20 pm
Daryl Mitchell top-scored as New Zealand's batters failed to fire in an ODI against West Indies | Photo AP
Keacy Carty's 95 and Shai Hope's unbeaten 87 have steered West Indies to a seven-wicket win over The Blackcaps in the first of five one-day internationals.
Carty fell just short of his fifth ODI century, a year after his fourth, as the West Indies surpassed New Zealand's total of 267 with seven balls remaining.
Hope anchored the innings after the end of his 131-run third-wicket partnership with Carty, adding 45 runs from 31 balls in an unbroken stand with Sherfane Rutherford.
The Blackcaps leaned again on allrounder Daryl Mitchell to reach 267 after losing the toss.
Mitchell, whose gritty century in the recent third Test against England secured a series victory, top-scored with 65 in an insipid New Zealand batting effort.
Will Young made 49 in an 80-run opening partnership with Henry Nicholls (27) but Michael Bracewell (29), Mark Chapman (27), Tom Latham (25) and Mitchell Santner (21) all failed to capitalise on good starts.
The Blackcaps were in a position to exceed 300 when they reached the 40th over at 216-4 but their last six wickets fell for 33 runs.
Vitel Lawes dismissed Nicholls, Chapman and Bracewell, finishing with 54-3 on debut.
Carty and Hope came together with the West Indies solidly placed at 92-2 in the 19th over after opener Akeem Auguste made 38 from 58 balls.
The third-wicket pair then paced the innings at between five and six runs an over, keeping the run-rate required at less than a run a ball, to guide West Indies to a comfortable win.
There were no signs of hurry or concern at any stage of the run chase. Even with five overs remaining and 37 runs needed, Hope and Rutherford looked under no pressure.
The next match of the five-game series is at the same venue on Monday (NZ time).
