The mighty Black Caps play Australia in the 2015 Cricket World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland today.
The Pool A clash has been billed as a possible preview of the final and the biggest game of cricket in New Zealand since the Young Guns played Pakistan in the semifinal of the 1992 tournament.
The winner will likely finish on top of the pool standings and get an easier path through the quarterfinals. Chances are it will avoid South Africa in a semifinal as well.
As if there was not already enough at stake, the little seen Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is also up for grabs.
And then there is national pride.
The losing country will be left nursing a collective bruised ego. If that's New Zealand, it probably means more sheep jokes.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum oozed self-assurance at his pre-match media conference yesterday. He acknowledged the importance of the occasion and the impact it could have enhancing New Zealand's status in the upper echelons of the sport but he said the team had to stay stable.
''The fanfare and anticipation is big but the guys are in a good space because of what we've done previously.
''However, there are many opportunities left to show the skills and our hunger to the world. We've earned some respect in the last 12 to18 months with the way we've carried ourselves and the brand of cricket we're trying to play.''
The teams are too evenly matched to offer any valuable insight as to how it might pan out. Sorry. You will just have to watch. There are so many wonderful match-ups.
If the battle between McCullum and David Warner does not get you excited then check your pulse.
What are the chances Mitchell Johnson will bowl a bumper first ball?
Will Tim Southee get the ball to hoop around or will it be Trent Boult's turn?
Who can tonk it further - Glenn Maxwell or Corey Anderson?
So many questions - 2pm cannot come soon enough.
