Green is the Player of the Match: Little bit tired and sore but we have a couple days off, so it's good. Credit to Zampa, he was a finisher in the end. It's my groin, calf, hamstring, everything. I should be fine for the next game. Carey batted beautifully, there was no real pressure on us, we tried to bat normally. First ODI fifty means a lot, always nice the first one.
Kane Williamson: It ebbed and flowed, it was a tricky surface and we wanted a few more runs on the board. The way Green and Carey played, it was an outstanding partnership. We were one wicket away from closing in. We certainly tried, they were five down, just weren't able to get that breakthrough. We adapted to the conditions really quickly. It was difficult to get a rhythm while batting and hit through the line. We had to scrap, always want a few more, we'll assess a reasonable performance.
Aaron Finch: It's [heart beat] a little bit high, we've made a habit of these chases. Carey and Green soaked a lot of pressure at the start and it was brilliant, it would have been better had they taken it till the end but credit to New Zealand for coming back. Our start wasn't ideal against Boult. There's still a bit to work on. Green will be sore and tired, he was cramping in his legs first, then arms as well. It's just his 11th game.
That's all we have today from this cracking ODI series opener in Cairns. Australia take a 1-0 lead and 10 points for the Super League. The remaining games are also in Cairns, and the next one is day after. Stay tuned for more action. We'll bring you more post-match coverage from Andrew McGlashan, and there's the Asia Cup game starting in 90 minutes from now. For now it's goodbye and good luck from me, Vishal Dikshit, and Sudarshanan. Ciao! Stay safe.
Sampath tells me: 233 is the highest target chased down by any team after losing five wickets inside 50 runs. Previous highest was 231 by Kenya vs Canada in 2007.
10.13pm An entertaining night in Cairns comes to an end, and what a way to return to the city for International cricket after eight years. There was plenty of action right from the first over - a review followed by a stunning catch from Maxwell, some tight bowling from Australia which ended with Maxwell taking four and Hazlewood three. And who would have thought 233 would be so difficult to chase in an ODI. Boult's swing, Henry's pace and seam movement reduced Australia to 44 for 5. But when it looked like New Zealand would take the game away with one or two more wickets, Carey and Green put on a fighting century stand and brought right Australia back. Australia lost wickets again, Green was down with cramps but he took them across the line eventually. New Zealand played some poor cricket in the end in my view. Early on as well, they should have given Boult another over - a sixth - in his first spell when he was red hot with the ball, and it's the new ball that he's best with. Later on too, they bowled slightly wide to Zampa and gave easy singles when Australia needed Green back on strike. A dramatic finish - with a sprinkle of rain - went Australia's way eventually.
Scores are level and Ferguson has the ball
