The Blacks Caps left for Australia yesterday without one of their number - Northern Districts opener BJ Watling.
He remained behind despite being named in 13-strong touring squad. The 26-year-old is not expected to start in either of the two tests but he is supposed to stay in good form.
He is one injury away from making a seventh test appearance and knows he needs to perform well at domestic level to remain in the frame.
Watling waited in vain on Sunday to get some time in the middle but poor weather meant there was no play possible on day one of Otago's Plunket Shield fixture against Northern Districts at the University Oval.
In gloomy conditions late yesterday afternoon he strode to the crease. He faced one delivery from Neil Wagner before the players had to scamper for shelter as another shower passed over.
Hardly ideal batting conditions and a few moments later he was back in the middle along with a timid sun struggling to emerge from the dull skies.
From the other end, England international Steven Finn was bowling rapidly to add to the misery.
Watling battled for nearly 30 minutes before registering a run.
Whatever Watling's critics say, he is certainly a battler.
Earlier in the day he spoke of the importance of scoring runs and keeping the pressure on the incumbents. And once he got set, the runs started to flow more freely from his bat.
"Every time you go out to bat you want to score runs," he said.
"I'm not part of the warm-up game ahead of the test so it is clear they have a top six in mind at the moment, which is fair enough.
"I've just got to score runs to push for a spot, basically."
The South African-born right-hander moved to New Zealand with his family when he was 10. It took a couple of years but eventually he found himself supporting the All Blacks and now understands the phrase "yeah, na".
He began his cricket career as a wicketkeeper-batsman and still sees himself that way.
"It is definitely something I'm still working on. It is still a work in progress for me and hopefully I'll get a crack every now and then."
Opportunities to take the gloves at first-class level have been rare and in the meantime he has had to develop his batting.
He has found a niche as an opener for Northern and has forged a reasonable first-class record.
Before yesterday he had scored 3091 runs at average of 31.86 and in six tests for New Zealand he has scored 245 runs at an average of 24.50.
Some might feel he is a little lucky to have had the opportunities has had at international level. But record aside, there is a lot to like about the shy fellow. He seems to know his game well and plays within his limitations.
He is compact and tenacious rather than flamboyant and dashing. And it is those skills he used to post an undefeated 67 and help his side reach 159 for one at stumps. When he resumes today he will be looking for his seventh first-class century.
