New Zealand overcame one of the greatest allround performances in one-day cricket history by Australian rookie Marcus Stoinis to win the first match of the Chappell-Hadlee series on Monday by a threadbare six runs.
Playing in only his second ODI, 16 months after his first, the 27-year-old Stoinis almost single-handedly lifted Australia to victory, scoring 146 not out off 117 balls batting at No.7, and taking three vital wickets for 49 runs.
Stoinis came to the wicket with Australia 54-5 in the 13th over chasing New Zealand's 286-9. He batted through the next 34 overs, dominating five partnerships to spur his team to the brink of victory. His unbeaten total was the highest by an Australian batting at No. 7 in a one-day interational. Foregoing singles and even twos, Stoinis resolved to hit Australia home with fours and sixes on the short boundaries at Eden Park and, after hitting nine fours and 11 sixes, he had come within one shot of tying the game when his last batting partner was lost.
Australia's cause looked lost at 226-9 after 44 overs, but Stoinis then put on a remarkable 54-run last wicket stand in four overs with paceman Josh Hazlewood, who did not face a ball in the entire partnership. Australia needed seven runs to win with a comfortable three overs in hand, but their hopes ended then when Hazlewood was run out at the non-striker's end by Kane Williamson.