The Blackcaps admit preparation has been less than ideal as they continue to wait for their opening match of the 2024 Twenty20 World Cup.
Despite arriving in the West Indies 10 days ago the side has had no warm-up matches, and several of their Indian Premier League players were given limited time in the middle during the competition.
Their first pool match is no easy task either, taking on Afghanistan on Saturday, a team on the rise in white ball cricket.
"We've been here for 10 days training which has been nice and the team are just looking forward to starting," captain Kane Williamson said on Friday.
"Afghanistan is getting better and better and playing more top-level cricket. We saw in the last World Cup how strong they were in the ODI format too."
Afghanistan has toppled cricket giants England and Pakistan in the last year, and almost beat Australia in 2023's ODI tournament.
"Such a skillful team. One of the best bowling attacks I think in the competition," Williamson continued.
Afghanistan also has the advantage of acclimatising to the conditions, having already played a game against Uganda, winning up 125 runs.
The Blackcaps on the other hand haven't even managed to play a warm-up match.
"Yeah I mean we've looked to prepare as best we can. Obviously no warm-up games but you know we're fortunate to get some training out in the middle and some simulation stuff," said Williamson
While they may be lacking game time, many in the New Zeeland squad do have previous experience on the Guyana wicket.
"I guess you can't look past the likes of Glenn Phillips who's had a lot of success here," said batter Mark Chapman.
"You know he scored a hundred at this very ground. He's certainly one guy a lot of us in the group are leaning on."
And despite a tricky pool which includes hosts West Indies, the Blackcaps have made a habit of going deep in World Cups.
Having fallen at the final hurdle in three in the last decade, they will be hoping this could finally be the one.
