As the 2023 World Cup creeps closer, the Blackcaps are savouring every chance they get to play 50 over cricket at the international level.
Since the end of the 2019 World Cup in England, the Blackcaps have played just 21 completed matches in three years - a feat not helped by COVID-19 - as the global game has adopted a diet of Twenty20 cricket.
Back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022 has understandably driven a shift towards the shortest format at the international level, seeing 50 over and test cricket take a back seat.
But with the World Cup to be held in India from October next year, teams are now shifting to one day cricket as a tune-up for the 2023 tournament.
For the Blackcaps' 50 over specialists, the opportunity to continue playing ODIs is a welcome addition to a packed calendar.
New Zealand are currently 1-0 up in a best of three series against India, and are now unable to lose after Sunday's washout in Hamilton.
And with the series finale to be held at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Wednesday, bowler Matt Henry is grateful for the chance for some vital match practice.
"I think it's important for us to keep playing one day cricket, and keep evolving our one day brand," said Matt Henry.
"Playing against India's always a strong side, and a side we look forward to playing one day cricket against.
"With a World Cup coming up later in [2023], it's great to play more cricket."
Henry is also thankful to be returning home for Wednesday's finale, played on his home ground.
Sunday's washout comes after the Blackcaps took victory in the series opener at Eden Park on Friday, where New Zealand cruised in their chase of 307 thanks to centurion Tom Latham and captain Kane Williamson.
And after being at the mercy of India's batting lineup in that first game, Henry can't wait to play on a more forgiving ground in Christchurch than the bowler's graveyard of Eden Park.
"It's good to be home, on a bigger ground," he added. "But you also know that comes with runs.
"It's a different style of cricket that's played there sometimes. The ones and twos sometimes turn into threes.
"I'm looking forward to having those boundaries."
Join Newshub for live updates of the Blackcaps v India from 2:30pm Wednesday
