Things are pretty sweet when you can welcome in two of the hottest bowlers in Aotearoa for a big ol' final, joining the leading Ford Trophy wicket-taker, a batsman holding on tightly to his Blackcaps mix spot and a younger lad who has flourished with various Aotearoa 'A' squads recently.
Today, the Ford Trophy elimination final goes down between Canterbury and Otago Volts as Auckland Aces wait for the winner up north at Eden Park.
With regards to the Blackcaps in this ODI series specifically, it's been rather fun to watch this group playing cricket against quality opposition.
Heading into a T20 World Cup, the performances of Aotearoa's White Ferns in their ODI series vs South Africa have been swept over by their domination of South Africa in the T20I series.
Funnily enough, with all the confusion and kerfuffle around Aotearoa's Blackcaps, everything feels as though it is falling into some sort of alignment - and I'm not necessarily talking about results.
Auckland Aces have sealed the top spot of the Ford Trophy ladder heading into tomorrow's final round before Thursday's elimination final.
Aotearoa's White Ferns were given an almighty touch up in their ODI series vs South Africa and have now flipped the scenario to dominate South Africa in their first two T20I.
Joseph Parker’s found himself something to do. Three weeks’ time, away in Texas. He’s gonna be fighting American heavyweight Shawndell Winters in his first fight since coasting past Alex Leapai in Philadelphia exactly eight months earlier.
When one does not understand, the easiest thing to do is complain, whinge and put negative energy out into the Aotearoa air.
Only two games of Ford Trophy cricket were played over the weekend with Otago Volts vs Northern Districts Knights scratched, while Central Districts Stags got up over Auckland Aces and Wellington Firebirds defeated Canterbury.
To start the year of the T20 World Cup, Aotearoa's Blackcaps have cruised their way to a 0-5 series sweep against India and everything's actually pretty damn swell.
There's so many bits and pieces of kiwi cricket floating around at the moment that I'm going to take a minor detour from the normal structure and jam various topics in here.
Today, Aotearoa's White Ferns wrap up their ODI series vs South Africa and should be rather desperate to avoid a series sweep.
With seven games rolled up, Devon Conway has cruised into 1st spot for Ford Trophy runs and that means that right now, Conway is the leading run-scorer in each of the Ford Trophy, Plunket Shield and Super Smash.
With Aotearoa baking in sun, there were plenty of runs on offer in the Ford Trophy's return as all teams scored 250+ runs featuring Auckland Aces and Canterbury both scored 300+ and Otago Volts blasting 400+.
Forget the Blackcaps and any dramatic thoughts with regards to the lads, there are greater issues at the moment with Aotearoa's White Ferns.
Two T20I games at Eden Park and two losses for Aotearoa's Blackcaps.
On Friday, Aotearoa's Blackcaps embark on the nek phase of their World T20 journey.
Like their Blaze wahine, Wellington Firebirds are Super Smash champions and as has been the case for the past few seasons, Hamish Bennett and Devon Conway swept through the Super Smash like a saviour sussing things out.
The past few days have seen an Aotearoa White Ferns one-day squad named and Wellington Blaze snare an awkward wee win in the Women's Super Smash final.