Carty and Hope anchor West Indies chase after teen sensation Lawes steals the spotlight

A fearless debut from teenage spinner Vitel Lawes and a composed century partnership between Keacy Carty and captain Shai Hope propelled West Indies to an impressive seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening One-Day International, giving the hosts a flying start to the series.

Making his first appearance in senior professional cricket at just 19 years old, Lawes produced a memorable spell of left-arm wrist spin to trigger a dramatic New Zealand collapse before Carty and Hope calmly steered West Indies to 268 with seven deliveries remaining.

The successful pursuit ranks as the second-highest winning chase ever achieved at the venue.

Unknown teenager becomes the story of the match

While Alzarri Joseph finished with outstanding figures of 4-41, it was Lawes who captured the imagination of the Guyanese crowd.

Thrown into international cricket without having previously played senior-level cricket in any format, the youngster displayed remarkable composure.

His breakthrough arrived with only the sixth ball of his professional career when Henry Nicholls mistimed a long hop to midwicket.

The highlight soon followed.

After struggling at times to control his length, Lawes suddenly delivered a perfect leg-stump delivery that spun sharply past Mark Chapman as the batter advanced down the pitch. Hope completed the stumping in one swift movement, while an ecstatic Lawes celebrated wildly and head coach Daren Sammy applauded enthusiastically from the dressing room.

Lawes later claimed the key wicket of Michael Bracewell, whose top-edged reverse sweep was safely gathered by Amir Jangoo at short thirdman, helping transform New Zealand's promising innings into disappointment.

New Zealand collapse after strong platform

Asked to bat first, New Zealand appeared poised for a much bigger total.

Henry Nicholls and Will Young patiently negotiated the slow surface to compile an opening partnership of 80 before Lawes made the breakthrough.

Young narrowly missed a half-century, falling for 49 after offering a leading edge back to Gudakesh Motie.

Tom Latham was then trapped leg before wicket by Khary Pierre, whose disciplined spell of 1-39 from 10 overs provided valuable control after he was drafted into the side as injury cover for Roston Chase.

The visitors regained momentum through Daryl Mitchell and Bracewell.

Mitchell struck an enterprising half-century from just 55 deliveries, while the pair added 65 at exactly a run a ball to carry New Zealand to 234-4 in the 44th over, seemingly setting the stage for a total well beyond 280.

Instead, everything unraveled.

Bracewell's dismissal sparked an astonishing collapse as New Zealand lost their final six wickets for just 33 runs.

Joseph returned superbly at the death, dismissing Mitchell before cleaning up the tail as boundaries completely dried up. Over the final 10 overs, New Zealand managed only one four and one six while finishing on 267.

Carty and Hope take complete control

West Indies' chase suffered an early setback when John Campbell top-edged to fine leg in the fifth over.

From there, Carty and Ackeem Auguste steadied the innings with a valuable stand of 64, although Auguste benefited from a fortunate reprieve after New Zealand declined to review an unsuccessful lbw appeal against Jayden Lennox when he was on 18.

Hope then joined Carty to produce the partnership that decided the contest.

The pair combined for 131 runs for the third wicket, balancing calculated aggression with smart strike rotation as dew made batting noticeably easier than it had been during the first innings.

Hope immediately shifted momentum by launching left-arm spinner Lennox for two towering leg-side sixes before settling into a measured innings. He eventually reached his half-century from 52 balls while ensuring the required rate never became overwhelming.

Carty denied century after rare hit-wicket drama

Carty looked destined for a fifth ODI century before becoming the central figure in one of the match's most unusual moments.

Batting on 64, he pulled Jacob Duffy for six over deep square leg. As his follow-through carried his bat backward, it clipped the top of the stumps, prompting New Zealand to appeal for hit wicket.

Television replays initially appeared to favor the visitors, who celebrated as the footage was reviewed by third umpire Ahsan Raza.

However, the decision ultimately remained not out.

Under Law 35.2 of cricket's playing conditions, a batter cannot be given hit wicket if the wicket is broken after completing the action of receiving the delivery.

The ruling allowed Carty to continue, although he eventually fell agonizingly short of three figures on 95, attempting an ambitious slog sweep that found the fielder at deep midwicket.

Rutherford applies the finishing touch

Any anxiety after Carty's dismissal quickly disappeared thanks to Hope's calm leadership.

With West Indies still requiring 37 from the final five overs, the captain struck crucial sixes off Bracewell and Matthew Fisher to ease the pressure before Sherfane Rutherford completed the chase in emphatic fashion.

Rutherford launched the winning blow straight back over the bowler's head for six, sealing victory with seven balls remaining and completing an outstanding all-round performance by the home side.

Perfect start for West Indies

The opening ODI showcased every ingredient West Indies could have hoped for, a dream international debut from one of the country's brightest young prospects, disciplined bowling that transformed a dangerous New Zealand innings into a modest total, and a mature batting display led by Carty and Hope.

With Lawes announcing himself on the international stage, Joseph delivering another commanding fast-bowling display, and the experienced middle order guiding a record chase with confidence, West Indies have seized early momentum and will head into the remainder of the series brimming with belief.