Hard work has paid off for Daryl Mitchell, after proving himself to be one of the Blackcaps' most reliable players over the past 12 months.
Nearly a year ago, Mitchell was a revelation at the top of the order, thrust into the Blackcaps opening role for the Twenty20 World Cup in the UAE.
In seven innings, Mitchell scored 208 runs at an average of 34.66, including an unbeaten 72 to lead New Zealand to a semi-final victory over England. Only captain Kane Williamson (216) scored more runs at the tournament than Mitchell.
That tournament proved to be a launching pad for Mitchell, who has been a regular for the Blackcaps in all three forms of the game ever since.
In test cricket, Mitchell has scored 641 runs at an average of more than 71 this year, including scoring three centuries on the tour of England earlier this year, filling the hole left by Ross Taylor's retirement.
The success has also carried into white ball cricket, averaging 41.66 in ODIs, and 33.12 in T20s.
And after having to wait until he was 27 to make his international debut, the now 31-year-old is making up for lost time as a Blackcap.
"It's cool to be part of this group," Mitchell said. "We've got some great leaders, and great people that are leading us along the way.
"It's just really cool to be part of this Blackcaps environment. It's something that I've dreamed of since I was a little kid, and worked bloody hard for on the domestic scene to get here.
"I'm just enjoying being part of the Blackcaps group - and hopefully we can win a few games."
And now, as the Blackcaps prepare for the 2022 Twenty20 World Cup beginning later this month, Mitchell is happy with his experience in the bank from the 2021 edition - even if he'll be playing in a different role than he did 12 months ago.
"For me, it was a cool little period. I know it seems pretty boring, but I'm just trying to do my job for my country.
"If that means we win a few games, and win a trophy along the way, that's pretty special.
"I'm just really proud to be part of this group. Hopefully we can have a bit more success in the next few months.
As their final preparations, the Blackcaps face Pakistan and Bangladesh in a T20 tri-series in Christchurch over the coming week.
And with the condensed nature, playing four games in five days, the schedule gives the Blackcaps ideal conditioning in having to get used to tournament conditions - even if the weather isn't playing ball.
"It's the perfect preparation. To be able to keep backing up games over the course of a week is the nature of the World Cup.
"The nature of international cricket at the moment is your ability to keep backing up performances, doing it over and over again to try and win games and win tournaments.
"We're really looking forward to this next week, and we'll see what happens."
