Ability to adapt to conditions and circumstances has proved key to the Blackcaps' sensational World Cup-opening victory over England at Ahmedabad.
In a rematch of the dramatic 50-over final at Lord's four years ago, New Zealand turned the tables on the defending champions with a comprehensive nine-wicket win that has put the world on notice that this golden era may yet have another twist in its tail, before it ends.
Playing without captain Kane Williamson, along with injured frontline bowlers Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson, the Kiwis limited England to 282/9 in their allotted overs and made no race of their run chase, as Devon Conway (152no) and Rachin Ravindra (123no) overhauled the target with almost 14 overs remaining.
The Blackcaps also opted to leave attacking spinner Ish Sodhi out of the line-up, but rocked their rivals with an unorthodox attack that featured just three genuine full-timers - Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Mitch Santner - and a variety of part-timers who all played their part in flummoxing the English.
"The guys were amazing with the ball," reflected batting coach Luke Ronchi. "We took wickets at crucial times and I saw a stat that every one of their batsmen got into double figures, but we managed to keep it in check and make sure we took wickets when we needed to."
At a venue known for highscoring, England had hoped for a target in excess of 300, but only Joe Root (77) was able to push past the half century, combining with captain Jos Buttler for a fifth-wicket stand of 70 runs.
"For the bowlers to restrict them the way they did and take crucial wickets at crucial times was fantastic," said Ronchi.
Henry returned the best figures with 3/48 off his 10 overs, but Santner conceded no boundaries in an economical 2/37, while Glenn Phillips clean-bowled Root and Moeen Ali during his three-over cameo.
"That's a massive word for us - adapt - and we've done it so well for so long," said Ronchi. "Even with some new guys in the team, and different guys coming and going, that's always been a crucial viewpoint of how we want to go about our cricket.
"The guys came in and did different roles at different times - that's what was needed. For Glenn Phillips to take those two crucial wickets, Rachin took a wicket, all the guys came on and bowled beautifully..."
When opener Will Young was caught behind for a golden duck, Ravindra suddenly found himself thrust up the order in a relatively unfamiliar role at international level. A week earlier, he hinted at his ability, belting 97 off 72 balls as an opener in a warm-up win over Pakistan - but this was something different again.
"It's his first time for us batting up the order, but he's done that his entire life," said Ronchi. "It's a position he's batted in for Wellington and junior cricket, and it's what he knows.
"It's where he has his most confidence, when he's batting. He went out there and showed some calmness, and went about his business how he would in any other game of cricket.
"To see the smile on his face when he got his hundred and again at the end was awesome. I think everyone feels amazing about seeing those young guys come in, play the way they play and be themselves, and come out with a performance like that – it's an amazing achievement."
The Blackcaps expect to have Williamson available for their second World Cup outing against the Netherlands on Monday and Southee not long after, but this opening performance may have produced an unexpected blueprint for future fixtures.
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