The Blackcaps have begun reformulating their plan to solve the all-important Joe Root puzzle in the upcoming second test against England, starting Friday.
Now freed of the captaincy, Root was a thorn in the New Zealander's side in the opening test at Lord's, scoring a masterful unbeaten 115 in England's second innings to steer his side to an ultimately comfortable five-wicket win in a player-of-the-match performance.
Paceman Kyle Jamieson admitted Root was the catalyst for the hosts' first-test triumph and snaring his wicket cheaply would be critical to the Blackcaps' hopes of leveling the three-test series at Nottingham's Trent Bridge.
"I think he was probably the difference in the game in the end and we'll certainly make some plans," said Jamieson after the Blackcaps training session on Thursday (NZ time).
"We've had some conversations already around how we want to attack him, but also attack the rest of the batters as well.
"It's not about just focussing on him, we've got to try to take 10 or 20 wickets and we'll go about our job in doing that."
Jamieson was New Zealand's most effective bowler at Lord's, taking two wickets in the first innings and four of the five which fell in England's pursuit of victory on days three and four to finish with overall figures of 6/99.
The display lifted Jamieson up to No. 3 in the world test bowling rankings, behind Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin and Australian quick Pat Cummins, a feat the softly spoken Aucklander was quick to brush off.
"Not a huge amount to be honest," he said, when asked what the rankings meant to him.
"I'm just trying to learn and grow as a cricketer. I guess whatever those numbers spit out, they do.
"I'm happy to be a part of this side and play my part in trying to win tests for this team. For me, that's the main driver, the main focus.
"I'm reasonably realistic with where I’m at with my game and I don’t necessarily think the numbers always give you the correct indication of where you're at.
"I'm just trying to grow, trying to get better, improve my game and contribute to wins. I guess those rankings will come out how they do."
Meanwhile, the Blackcaps are biding their time with a decision on Henry Nicholls' availability at Trent Bridge.
After missing the first test with a calf injury, the batter is the logical choice to replace allrounder Colin de Grandhomme, who's been ruled out with a foot injury, and would add some much needed starch to the NZ middle order.
"We've missed Henry over the last five, six weeks, so to have him back will be awesome,” Jamieson said.
"He's put together a pretty good record and he’s been a key part of the side for a number of years.
"Hopefully we get him back and it will be nice to have his energy out there."
