For the first time since last June, Blackcaps fast bowler Kyle Jamieson will play representative cricket.
The Blackcaps fast bowler has missed the last seven months with a back injury, but has been named to play for Auckland against Wellington in the Super Smash T20 competition at the Eden Park Outer Oval.
He's just happy to be back in blue.
"It's probably been a mixed bag of emotions really," said Jamieson, who was determined to use his time watching on as an opportunity, rather than an obstacle.
"It was a bit of a blessing in a way... a bit of time off just to reflect and reset, and work on yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, that sort of stuff."
If anyone knows what it's like to have your career stalled by back trouble, it's another former Blackcaps speedster, Shane Bond.
"He's been through similar things, but he's also got a wealth of knowledge in terms of bowling," said Jamieson. "That was more the important part - to grow and learn, and come back a better player than I was."
While Jamieson's had some club cricket to get ready for his comeback - "I got wrongly attached for four overs for 30, which wasn't nice" - the selectors will decide his Blackcaps return.
"I've been out of the game for seven months," he said. "If I look too far ahead, I'd be a little bit silly.
"I'm very much just trying to play tomorrow and if we get through tomorrow, we'll play Sunday and just trying to keep that mindset."
With a reinvigorated England team arriving in less than a month, the timing may be ideal.
