Blackcaps batsman Neil Broom has paid tribute to Marcus Stoinis after the all-rounder hit 146 off 117 balls to almost steal the first one-dayer in Auckland on Monday.
Arriving at the crease at 54-5 after the Blackcaps bowling attack tore through Australia's top order, Stoinis' innings was full of class, taking the visitors to within six runs of an unlikely victory.
"It was pretty special wasn't it," Broom told journalists after the match.
"He took his time at the start, came in at 50-5 and had to knock it around a wee bit. You feel for him but you take the win."
In just his second one-day international, the West Australian finished with nine boundaries and a whopping 11 sixes.
Broom said it looked like it was just going to be his day.
"Guys were just getting deposited over the fence at will. He was just looking straight and focusing on those short boundaries and he just about pulled it off.
"But we'll take that and go to the next game one up."
Earlier in the day, Stoinis was the pick of the Australian bowlers, finishing with three for 49 off his allotted 10 overs.
After the match, the 27-year-old said it was a bitter-sweet feeling.
"If you look at the stat book after making 140-odd and a three for, it doesn't feel that good," Stoinis said.
"It just goes to show how much of a team game cricket is and how much winning is important to everyone.
"Obviously I'm happy to an extent but probably not what I would have imagined."
Stoinis retained most of the strike in the final stage of the game where he batted with tail-ender Josh Hazlewood.
Remarkably, Hazlewood batted 26 minutes without facing a single ball.
"The plan was for me to face the first four, and ideally five if I'm feeling on, then get a single the last ball.
"The plan at the end there was to try and hit a six and draw the game and leave Josh to win the game."
Both teams now head to McLean Park in Napier where they square off on Thursday.
Newshub.