That is how Ross Taylor views this week’s Plunket Shield match against Otago in Dunedin.
The former New Zealand captain does not get to play much four-day cricket these days.
In fact, it had been just over two years since the 33-year-old last played in a first-class match for Central Districts.
The Black Caps test squad has been released to play in round four of the tournament as part of its preparation for next month’s home test series against the West Indies.
And Taylor, who scored a breezy 34 and looked in good touch until Jacob Duffy had him caught at gully, felt there was nothing like a proper game to prepare for test cricket.
"You can go and hit balls in the nets for Africa and go through the motions. But in a game there is a consequence," Taylor said.
"First and foremost, you’ve got to show respect to the competition. But obviously the test match is very important.
"It is about getting some time on your legs and getting the mindset right for the long format of the game."
Taylor joked he got a little too much time on his feet with Otago batting for nearly 140 overs and posting 513 for seven declared.
Aside from the valuable time in the middle, Taylor said it was just nice to be back playing first-class cricket for his association again.
"Hopefully, they can not so much learn from the way you go about things, but ask you questions. I enjoy giving back that way."
Taylor said when he was making his way through the ranks, senior players such as Mathew Sinclair and Craig Spearman helped teach him the game.
And now that he is "getting to the end" of his career he would like to play "a few more games" for Central.
While Taylor’s innings was brief, he played several of those trademark late cuts he drills when he is batting well and felt in good nick.
"I’ve felt pretty good for the last month or so — and I felt really good [on Thursday] but got an inside edge on to my pads.
"As I said to Hess [Black Caps coach Mike Hesson] ,I must be saving runs for the test match."
For the record, Taylor has played 81 tests and has scored 6030 runs at an average of 47.10. He has saved up plenty of runs over the years.
