West Indies took a 1-0 lead in the five-match One-day International series after Keacy Carty and captain Shai Hope guided the hosts to a commanding seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening match at Providence Stadium in Guyana.

Carty scored a superb 95, while Hope remained unbeaten on 87 as the West Indies chased down New Zealand’s total of 267 with seven balls to spare.

The pair transformed the match with a 131-run partnership for the third wicket after the hosts slipped to 92-2. Hope then combined with Sherfane Rutherford in an unbeaten 45-run stand to complete the chase comfortably.

Rutherford finished unbeaten on 22 as the West Indies reached 268-3 in 48.5 overs.

Earlier, New Zealand relied on Daryl Mitchell, who top-scored with 65 after the visitors lost the toss and batted first.

Will Young contributed 49 during an 80-run opening partnership with Henry Nicholls, who made 27. Michael Bracewell scored 29, while Mark Chapman added 27, Tom Latham made 25 and Mitchell Santner chipped in with 21.

New Zealand looked set to post a total above 300 after reaching 216-4 in the 40th over. However, the visitors lost their final six wickets for just 33 runs and finished on 267 all out in 49.5 overs.

Debutant Vitel Lawes impressed with the ball, claiming 3-54, while Alzarri Joseph led the attack with 4-41. Gudakesh Motie took two wickets to complete an excellent bowling performance.

West Indies made a steady start through opener Akeem Auguste, who scored 38 before Carty and Hope took control of the chase.

The pair kept the required run rate under control throughout the innings and rarely looked under pressure. Hope reached his half-century from 52 balls, while Carty brought up his fifty from 67 deliveries.

Carty also survived a fortunate moment on 64 when he appeared to hit his own stumps after striking a six off Jacob Duffy. The umpires ruled that he had completed the shot before the bails fell, allowing him to continue his innings.

He capitalised on the reprieve and advanced to 95 before Michael Bracewell dismissed him.

Hope remained calm until the finish and accelerated in the closing overs. He struck a six from the opening ball of the 49th over before Rutherford sealed the victory with another maximum later in the same over.

The second ODI will take place at the Providence Stadium on Monday.

Player of the Match: Keacy Carty.