While everything has been lovely for the Blackcaps ODI group under new coach Gary Stead with guys like Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson snapping up their opportunities, the forgotten folk are battling to stay in the mix.
Aotearoa's White Ferns squad to face India in three ODI's starting on January 24th, has been announced and there are a few minor tweaks around the solid core we have come to know and love.
Allow me to get this out of the way nice and early; Doug Bracewell is in my top-5 kiwi cricketers currently playing.
A Test series win and drawn ODI series vs Pakistan in United Arab Emirates then a Test series win and ODI series sweep vs Sri Lanka in Aotearoa, may have a few kiwi cricket fans thinking that Blackcaps coach Gary Stead is the chosen one.
Last time I wrote about the Super Smash, it was plodding along without much momentum or buzz and while we've had a steadier flow of game, there is still a plodding vibe to it.
Intriguing times for our Kiwi wahine in Women's Big Bash League 04 as Adelaide Strikers racked up a couple wins, via strong performances from Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates to give them a sniff of finals cricket.
On the surface, the Aotearoa vs Sri Lanka ODI series was all about runs and life wasn't too funky for the bowlers. Yet the difference between the two teams and a factor in the Blackcaps sweepin' Sri Lanka was their bowling attack, which took wickets at key times and snatched any hopes of a win away from the tourists.
Variety is the spice of life and with that in mind, this Blackcaps 3-0 ODI series sweep over Sri Lanka was about as mundane as a butter chicken with garlic naan.
Everything's steadily, gradually improving in WBBL04 for our kiwi wahine as there were far more solid contributions from the gang over the weekend.
A couple ODI's into the kiwi summer and that means a chin-wag about who is using what bats in the ODI squad, following on from the Test squad.
Another ODI at Mt Maunganui between Aotearoa and Sri Lanka only means another game featuring oodles of runs.
While everyone has been chillin' or working, or investing any sporting energies they do have into Blackcaps cricket, the cheeky Super Smash has been plodding along.
Suzie Bates entered 2019 in solid fashion and while we are now lacking the spectacular dominance from our Kiwis in WBBL, there were a couple more decent efforts from Sophie Devine, Amy Satterthwaite and Lea Tahuhu.
A few ripples of uncertainty couldn't hold the Blackcaps back from a reasonably impressive win over Sri Lanka in their ODI series opener.
The first fixture of a cluttered ODI summer comes our way tomorrow between Aotearoa and Sri Lanka, with the World Cup looming on the horizon.
2018 was a brilliant year for the Blackcaps in Test cricket. Three series all won. Seven matches with only one defeat (four wins and two draws). All super competitive series which required crucial contributions from all number of players, from established batting veterans to previously uncapped spinners.
Unfortunately for our Kiwi wahine in the Women's Big Bash League, the two teams with two White Ferns each are chillin' at the bottom of the WBBL ladder.
As BJ Watling played another gritty knock down the order and then Colin de Grandhomme came out in the second innings in Christchurch's Boxing Day Test vs Sri Lanka to play a typically swashbuckling knock, you may have noticed something slightly different.
Unlike preparations for the Champions Trophy, it appears as though there is some legit planning going down ahead of the World Cup with the ODI squad to face Sri Lanka reflecting the highly competitive depth in the ODI format.
Aotearoa's favourite drink-running 12th man Matt Henry got a delightful Christmas present this year with another chance to run the drinks, cheer on the lads in the Boxing Day Test v Sri Lanka.