The Blackcaps begin their fight to save the series against Bangladesh in the second and final test in Christchurch on Sunday.
The traditionally green and fast wicket at Hagley would be salvation playing a touring sub-continent side, but Bangladesh believe they can create more history if they can win the toss.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham is in familiar territory at Hagley Oval - but it's very much the opposite for the Blackcaps now fighting to save a series at home after defeat at Mt Maunganui.
"They played really well, and we probably weren't quite at our best," he says
It's a different picture for Bangladesh, a side with their tails up as they look to achieve a historic series win.
"The boys have got a lot of confidence, a lot of belief," says coach Russell Domingo.
"There's a lot of smiles, a lot of joking, and real determination to try and do something special."
If the Blackcaps are to stop Bangladesh, they'll need to be far better than they were in Mt Maunganui.
Latham hints at just one change to the playing XI being considered, a toss-up between Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra.
"Yeah it's probably just the all-rounder," he adds. "In terms of whether we believe spin may come into it.
If it doesn't, it will likely see Mitchell take the No. 7 spot from spinning all-rounder Ravindra.
The biggest factor in who takes the spoils will be made before the match even gets under, at the toss, that's because of how green this Hagley Oval wicket is.
Whoever gets the ball in their hand first will be licking their lips.
"It's not often Bangladesh can say that, that they're actually looking forward to bowling on a wicket that's got a bit of grass on it," adds Domingo.
"Ebadot Hossain is one player that could certainly pose a problem on day one if he's able to replicate his form from the Mount."
But Latham doesn't expect the toss to be as decisive a factor as you'd think come Sunday morning.
"I certainly don't think it's a win the toss win the game type surface," says Latham. "We've seen here before we've won when we've been put in."
Regardless of whether they're put in, the Blackcaps are already under pressure in this series - one they're now fighting to save.
Join Newshub for live coverage of the Blackcaps v Bangladesh from 11am Sunday.
