Tim Southee appears quite comfortable to be labelled the senior statesman in the New Zealand bowling attack.
With Chris Martin shelved in the twilight of his career and Daniel Vettori still regaining his fitness, it falls to Southee to assume the mantle of Black Caps bowling leader.
It has happened so quickly, it is easy to overlook Southee's tender age (24) and his relatively limited number of test caps (21).
''You look around the bowling stocks and probably there isn't a lot of experience,'' the Northern Districts pace bowler said.
''We're all good mates. We've played cricket together through age group stuff and I think we bring out the best in each other. We know each other quite well, which makes it easier.''
Martin had been a helpful influence in recent seasons, Southee said.
It is nearly five years since a teenaged Southee made his test debut against England in Napier. It was some debut, too, with a five-wicket bag followed by a sizzling unbeaten 77 with the bat.
''It was a nice start, but it was a long time ago. There have been a lot of changes in the English side,'' Southee said.
He has some inside knowledge of the English captain, Alastair Cook, after a spell of county cricket with Essex. But there was no point focusing on the danger posed by Cook, when players of the class of Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell were also in the side.
''They've got a very strong batting line-up. We won't focus on anyone in particular. You go out to get as many wickets as you can.
''Everyone enjoys England coming out here, and vice versa. There's a bit of excitement in the camp.
''Hopefully, everyone can lift their game a little bit. We're playing the second-best test side in the world, so it's a big challenge.
''We've got some exciting talent mixed in with some key experienced guys. Hopefully, we can get the series off to a good start, then who knows?''
Southee does not have particularly fond memories of the University Oval. A year ago, he laboured to the match figures of none for 140 in the test against South Africa.
He has recovered well from a nasty thumb injury sustained late last year, which kept him out of the series in South Africa.
