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Cameron Green heroics leave cricket world stunned in ODI victory

Cameron Green, pictured here hobbling between wickets during Australia's ODI win over New Zealand.
Cameron Green was hobbling between wickets during Australia's ODI win over New Zealand. Image: Fox Sports/Getty

Cameron Green is the talk of the cricket world after his match-winning knock for Australia while battling cramps against New Zealand on Tuesday night.

Green and Alex Carey steered Australia to an unlikely victory over the Black Caps in the first ODI in Cairns, chasing down 233 with five overs to spare after a top-order collapse of 5-44.

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Green was hobbling between wickets and could hardly run after suffering cramps and pain all over his body, admitting after the match that he didn't think he would bat on.

"I couldn't really walk for a sec there, credit to Zorb (Adam Zampa), he was a finisher in the end," he told Fox Sports.

"It was nice to be down the other end watching him go about it."

After moving gingerly for a single late in the innings, Kerry O'Keeffe said in commentary for Fox Sports: โ€œIโ€™ve seen statues with more leg movement than him."

Green said it was his groin, calf, hamstring and forearm that all gave him issues, but was confident he'd play in Thursday's second ODI.

In the first ODI of a three-game series, New Zealand managed 9-232 after being sent in to bat.

Australia's reply began abysmally when skipper Aaron Finch fell once again to a left-arm seamer, scoring just five for a second consecutive innings after being trapped lbw by Trent Boult.

Boult ripped through Australia's top order as he snared three wickets, bowled 21 dot balls and conceded just 12 runs from his five-over spell.

The veteran paceman also sent Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne packing for one and nought respectively.

Cameron Green and Adam Zampa, pictured here after Australia's win over New Zealand in the first ODI.
Cameron Green and Adam Zampa celebrate after Australia's win over New Zealand in the first ODI. (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images) (SAEED KHAN via Getty Images)

Cameron Green heroics guide Australia to victory

When Matt Henry had David Warner caught on the boundary before bowling Marcus Stoinis, Australia were in dire straits and staring down the barrel of defeat.

But Carey and Green played exquisitely, with their 158-run partnership anchoring Australia's chase which looked set to carry to the final runs before Carey's departure.

Green then witnessed the dismissals of Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc before Zampa (13 not out) played a brilliant cameo to steer Australia to victory.

Carey said he and Green knew there was time to win back the contest after Australia's early collapse.

"We knew we were in a bit of trouble, but we also knew there was lots of time left in the game," Carey told reporters.

"My job was to bounce off Greeny, and Greeny myself.

"We know how good he is. But taking this format to another step, he'll recover up nicely and go again on Thursday."

with AAP

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