After a torrid and frustrating start to the season, Auckland Aces are welcoming a change of format in domestic cricket and, with it, the return of some big names.
As defending champions in the four-day and 50-over competitions, Auckland have started poorly in both - winning just two of their first 11 games.
But with the Twenty20 Super Smash starting on Friday, they're keen to remind the other franchises what they're capable of.
And with that, comes some star power.
A sight for the sore eyes of the Auckland Aces, Blackcap Lockie Ferguson is back in blue and white.
"He's brilliant around this group," captain Robbie O'Donnell told Newshub. "He's passionately Auckland and loves wearing the blue jersey."
And the Black Caps speedster will be doing that in the early stages of the Super Smash season, as will international teammate Mark Chapman and potentially Kyle Jameison, who made his return from a back injury via club cricket last week.
"He's been trucking along nicely," head coach Doug Watson said of Jamieson. "He's in a really good space.
"So hopefully we'll see him down in Christchurch, where he'll train with us."
Having their big names back couldn't come at a better time for the Aces, who will be without Martin Guptill when he heads to the Australian Big Bash next week.
"I think this is a line in the sand for us," added O'Donnell. "It's a whole new competition.
"It's usually the best time of year to be playing cricket."
Regular rain hasn't helped either, but the team have found ways to keep themselves busy.
"We've got a few card players, 500 or down the river is always a good game to get at least four guys involved," said O'Donnell.
"But the recent one that's taken the Auckland group by storm is hacky sack."
They'll be hoping those can be put away for a while, as they deal out some better results.
