Australia vs New Zealand 2017, 1st ODI - 5 Talking Points

A sensational century by Marcus Stoinis brought Australia extremely close to a target that looked far beyond their reach when they were 67/6. Stoinis waged a lone battle even as wickets tumbled around him and hit as many as 11 sixes, including three in an over from Neesham.

Earlier, Guptill, Broom and Neesham took New Zealand to 286 and the total seemed more than adequate as Boult and Southee wrecked havoc in the Australian top order minus David Warner.

At 67/6, Australia were all but out of the game but Stoinis had other ideas. The all-rounder slammed his first ODI hundred in just his second match and took Australia to the brink of victory before Hazlewood was run out with the side still 6 runs short.

Take a look at the talking points from the game in Auckland.

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#5 Neil Broom’s resurgence continues

Neil Broom is in a purple patch

Recalled after six years in oblivion, Neil Broom is quickly turning into another Grant Elliott for New Zealand. The experienced middle order batsman has made a profound impact in the recent ODI matches after his comeback.

He was the star of the series against the Bangladeshis, where he made a brilliant unbeaten 109 in Nelson in the 2nd ODI before a 97 at the same venue in the final ODI.

Broom continued his form by building a 76-run stand with Jimmy Neesham and carried on after crossing his half-century. Even as wickets fell around him, Broom remained stable and helped New Zealand to 286.

#4 Neesham pushes de Grandhomme aside

Neesham stakes his claim

Jimmy Neesham has been in and out of the ODI squad despite putting in decent performances whenever he has been given a chance. New Zealand, however, seemed obsessed with Colin de Grandhomme's big hitting ability and medium pace.

Neesham got a break after de Grandhomme underperformed in the last few games and he made it count with a crucial 76 run partnership with Broom, in which he made 48 off just 45 balls. Neesham was quick to adapt to the situation and dominated the partnership.

He was, however, a touch expensive with the ball and did not pick up any wickets. With the Champions Trophy looming large, Neesham and de Grandhomme will compete fiercely to make it to the playing XI.

#3 New Zealand's third seamer conundrum

Ferguson bowled a blistering spell to pick up two wickets

New Zealand know that their best ODI fast bowlers are Tim Southee and Trent Boult. But they have been in search of a third seamer to complement these two. Quite a few have been given chances in the past year to slot in as the first change bowler.

Matt Henry seemed the favourite at one point in time. An injury to Adam Milne meant he was not in consideration and de Grandhomme was tried as an all-rounder plus third seamer but his bowling was not up to the mark. The latest experiment has been Lockie Ferguson.

The quick bowler has serious pace and extracts considerable bounce from the wicket. A like for like replacement for the injured Milne, Ferguson bowled with vigour in the first ODI to pick up the wickets of Maxwell and debutant, Heazlett. He finished with figures of 10-0-44-2.

#2 Tom Latham steps in admirably with the keeping mitts

Latham was extremely tidy behind the wickets

With Luke Ronchi unavailable, the Kiwis had Tom Blundell as the only backup keeper in their squad. However, they decided to play an extra all-rounder in Neesham and handed over the keeping gloves to Tom Latham, who has kept in the past.

The opening batsman was neat behind the stumps, unlike Handscomb, his counterpart, who dropped two catches. Latham had Shaun Marsh stumped off Santner before pouching easy catches off Handscomb, Maxwell and Heazlett. He finished with five in the game including another stumping off Santner to dismiss Pat Cummins.

Latham equalled the New Zealand record for most dismissals in an ODI by a keeper with five to his name. With not many keepers available, Latham might be used in a similar role in the Champions Trophy as well.

#1 Marcus Stoinis' stunning all-round show

Stoinis bludgeoned his way to a century

Australia have never been short of all-rounders but the loss of form for Mitchell Marsh and James Faulkner meant that the Aussies could do with another seaming all-rounder.

In came Marcus Stoinis, who had played only one ODI prior to this one. He was instrumental with the ball, varying his pace and bowling some sharp off-cutters. He had Guptill and Williamson early before picking up the wicket of Munro to finish with three wickets in 10 tidy overs.

Stoinis wasn't done though and walking in at No. 7, smothered the Kiwi bowlers with some massive hits. He had Faulkner for company after the Aussies had slipped to 67/6 and he put the bowlers under pressure with some scintillating shots.

Stoinis made his first ODI hundred and just his second in List A cricket, an unbeaten 146 that took the Aussies to the brink, but it wasn't enough to win the match. He became the first Australian to hit a hundred and take three wickets in an ODI.