If the Blackcaps are going to seal their spot in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals, the performance of bowling axis Trent Boult and Tim Southee will have a huge say in New Zealand's fate.
After three games, the Blackcaps are currently top of Group 1 of the Super 12 stage, with two wins and one washout under their belt.
And provided New Zealand can win at least one of their next two games, the Blackcaps will advance to the final four.
Next up, the Blackcaps face England at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday night, as a replay of the 2021 tournament semi-final that saw New Zealand take a five-wicket win in Abu Dhabi.
Key to their fortunes will be Boult and Southee, who've had a huge say in New Zealand's success so far.
Boult has taken six wickets at an average of just 6.16 runs, including career-best figures of 4/13 in the win over Sri Lanka on Saturday.
Southee meanwhile has taken four wickets at an average of only 4.50 and an economy rate of 2.91 runs per over, with his 3/6 shining as the Blackcaps thrashed Australia in their tournament opener.
And for fellow bowler Lockie Ferguson, the standard set by the senior pair will be key when they meet England on Tuesday.
"Tim and Trent have had a blinder in these first two games," said Ferguson. "When the ball's swinging, there's not much better in the world - certainly from my point of view.
"[It's] nice to follow them as well. The way the boys have kept the plans very simple for us, and stuck to what they've done extremely well for a long period of time, it's exciting to see them have success early in the comp.
"Clearly, there's a long way to go for us. We need to make sure we take it game by game.
"England's going to have a lot of firepower we need to combat in this next game.
"I'm sure the boys will be up for this next challenge."
Despite the semi-finals being so close, though, Ferguson also asserts the team's focus is solely on what's immediately in front of them - rather than two games down the track.
"It's very much one game at a time. Tomorrow is a big focus for us, after that we'll cross the next bridge when it comes.
"Certainly, it's been fantastic to see the level of T20 cricket over here.
"Every team, two points doesn't matter - the same pressures are on.
"That's what's so great about the World Cup, you get these one-off games in conditions at grounds you're not used to playing the other teams at.
"It's certainly fantastic to be part of it."
Join Newshub for live updates of the Blackcaps v England from 9pm Tuesday
