Finn Allen's swashbuckling form has earned plaudits from all around the country and now the opener feels the time is right for an international call-up.
It's been a meteoric rise for Allen, who's gone from playing a sole Super Smash game last season, being released by Auckland, to now being on the verge of international selection.
The 21-year-old believes there is no better time for the step up and backs himself to do the job when he's there.
"It's tough to say, but you never know till you try I guess," Allan tells Newshub. "I've never had that taste whatsoever, so I suppose I've faced a few of the Blackcaps bowlers now and I'd like to think I'm ready but I'll never know till I try."
What more does the Firebirds opener have to do to earn a Blackcaps call-up.
Allen has smashed bowlers to all parts and has a competition best 496 runs at an average of 62 with a mind-boggling strike rate of 196. Only four players in history - Devon Conway, who scored 543 last season, Jesse Ryder (584 for Wellington in 2012-13) and Auckland's Martin Guptill (504 in 2011-12) have scored more runs in a single season than him.
The 21-year-old's hot form has piled pressure on veteran Blackcaps opener Martin Guptill, who hasn't passed fifty in international cricket this season plus struggled in the Super Smash with people calling for the batting mystro to be dropped.
Guptill missed the Aces last two matches with a hamstring injury, but New Zealand coach Gary Stead recently suggested the right-hander will be part of the upcoming T20 series against Australia.
Allen has a very calm and relaxed persona and that mindset has been crucial to his success this season.
"Just keeping it simple," he says. "All I've been doing is watching the ball, looking to hit it as hard as I can and holding my shape.
"Other than that just move around the crease a little bit to put the bowlers off their length but just trying to keep it as simple as I can."
"I'll keep doing my thing and see where it gets me."
All will be revealed on Saturday when Gary Stead announces his squad for the T20 series against Australia.
