Custom dictates that national anthems are generally played only at the beginning of an international cricket series - but this was no time to stick to tradition.
For his 237th - and last - one-day international appearance, Blackcaps icon Ross Taylor wanted nothing more than to stand next to his mates and his kids, and sing his national song, both verses please.
What the guest of honour wants, he gets, wiping away tears, as he prepared for one final walk to the middle of Hamilton's Seddon Park to take on the might of the Netherlands bowling attack.
Spectators were primed for the onslaught, brandishing sings that read "Miss you already", "Thanks for being you" and "You'll always be my GOAT".
After NZ skipper Tom Latham won the toss and chose to bat first, the batting maestro had to wait 38 overs to take guard, replacing longtime ally and friend Martin Guptill, who was dismissed four balls after recording his 18th ODI century.
Guptill and Taylor - best man at his wedding - exchanged a fist tap, as they passed on the boundary.
"It's been a great career for Roscoe," Guptill told Spark Sport. "To be out there with him after 13 years or so, it's been a great ride.
"I love him to bits and it'll be a sad day at the end of today."
Applauded to the wicket by an adoring crowd and Dutch guard of honour, Taylor, 38, was on hand to congratulate Central Stags teammate Will Young - a kind of passing-the-torch moment - on his second international hundred in the space of a week.
When he launched into Dutch (and Wellington Firebirds) pace bowler Logan van Beek for six off his eighth ball faced, Kiwi cricket fans licked their lips in anticipation of another classic innings to put the exclamation mark on his magnificent career.
Sadly, the promise of more fireworks lasted only another eight balls and four runs, before Taylor skied a delivery high into the air and van Beek was underneath to play party-pooper, raising his fists in triumph, even as he played the villain.
Taylor signed off his 112-match test career against Bangladesh in January with only his third wicket, tossed the ball with victory well in hand.
Spectators on the bank at Hamilton chanted for captain Tom Latham repeat the gesture and while their calls went unheeded, Taylor would not be denied, taking the catch - his 142nd in ODIs and 351st in all formats - to end the Netherlands innings, as the sun set on his historic Blackaps tenure.
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