The performance of star seamer Kyle Jamieson was the undeniable highlight for the Blackcaps on the opening day of the first test against India in Kanpur.
Despite scarcely featuring in the back end of the Indian Premier League and missing out on the action during New Zealand's run to the final of the Twenty20 World Cup, the towering Aucklander returned to the international stage to quickly remind fans why he's regarded as one of the world's most promising young quicks.
The 26-year-old captured three of the four India wickets to fall and provide a bright spot on a day when they were few and far between for the visitors.
Jamieson finished the day with figures of 3/47, needing just one more wicket to become the fastest New Zealander to reach 50 test scalps. Shane Bond needed 12 tests, Jamieson is in the midst of his ninth.
"It was really nice to be back on the park with the test group," Jamieson said after the day's play.
"I love playing test cricket and to get back out and have this freesh challenge in India was pretty cool."
Jamieson had India's innings teetering at 145/4, before debutant Shreyas Iyer (75no) and Ravindra Jadeja (50no) combined for an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership of 113 to lift them to 258/4 and claim day-one honours.
The Blackcaps knew what to expect in the famously arduous conditions, which typically offer few favours for bowlers of Jamieson's ilk.
"We had a bit of swing upfront which was quite nice for myself and Tim…sort of kept us in the game there for a little bit, then it was just about trying to adapt … adjust our game to what was put in front of us," he adds.
"Test cricket in India is a toil, and it is hard graft for long periods and certainly isn't going to happen as quick as what it does back home.
"But I think we were pretty good for large parts of the day. India may be slightly ahead but if we start well tomorrow morning we can certainly put some pressure on them… we can be pretty pleased with how the day panned out."
Early wickets will be crucial to the Blackcaps' cause if they're wrestle back control of the contest on day two and Jamieson is confident he and his fellow bowlers are up to the task.
"We'll have a go with that second new ball tomorrow morning which will hopefully talk a little bit and see where we end up.
"Rest up, try and take six more poles tomorrow."
Join us from 5pm, Friday for live updates of day two of the first test between the Blackcaps and India
