Blackcaps quick Trent Boult hopes he can bring valuable inside information on local conditions to the Blackcaps' table, as they begin their preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup later this month.
With his 24-hour mandatory isolation completed, Boult rejoins his NZ teammates for training at their Dubai base, after making the 45-minute flight north from Abu Dhabi, where he played his final match of the Indian Premier League season for Mumbai Indians.
Boult's Indians finished fifth on the IPL table to miss out on playoff qualifiers, but hopes his recent experience in the demanding conditions will prove an asset to the Blackcaps, when they begin their campaign.
The pitches used during the relocated IPL - including those in Oman, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi - will also be in play during the T20 World Cup.
"It wasn't the result we wanted with Mumbai, but it was a good opportunity to get out on the wickets and understand what's going on," Boult says. "The heat is probably the biggest challenge and the wickets are forever changing.
"They've been relatively slow and some pretty steady scores on the board. Hopefully, we can share a few secrets and we're lucky enough to have a few guys who have played over here in the last month, so we should be alright."
Fellow fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson, and spinner Mitch Santner will further bolster that local knowledge, once they join the Blackcaps after the IPL playoffs.
On Tuesday, Jamieson's Royal Challengers Bangalore were eliminated by Ferguson's Kolkata Knight Riders, so the breakthrough star will soon be back in the Blackcaps set-up, which is currently 11 players strong.
The T20 World Cup begins on Sunday, but the Blackcaps won't feature until October 27, when they play their opening match against Pakistan at Sharjah.
Before they meet Pakistan, the Kiwis will play warm-up matches against Netherlands, England and Australia, which Boult says will provide some valuable high-level competition, before the tournament begins in earnest.
"It'll be good to get some cricket and let the guys adjust to the conditions," he notes. "There are some good sides there to play against, so it should be the start of a good few weeks."
Boult says morale within the camp is strong, with the tantalising prospect of another World Cup trophy to add to their World Test Championship mace.
"Spirits are high, and I'm looking forward to seeing the other lads still to come and kicking this off nicely.
"It's a great stage to be on and there's some tremendous talent on display here, but everyone here is vying for the Cup and we'll take it a day at a time, and hopefully start well and see what happens."
Join us on October 27 for live updates of the Blackcaps v Pakistan T20 World Cup opener
