Captain Kane Williamson is confident the Black Caps will be able to adapt to whatever vagaries the Hagley Oval pitch might offer when the second Test against Pakistan begins in Christchurch on Sunday.
Kane Williamson Photo: Photosport
With the covers still on late yesterday, Williamson was unwilling to to make a call on what strategy might be taken on a wicket that usually delivers early pace and bounce.
"It's just about our guys adapting as well as they can, and they've managed to do that well in periods over the last few games on surfaces that have offered a lot initially, so it'll be about adapting again to a new surface," he said.
"Often it offers a bit here throughout, so we'll just to have a look at it and make a call in terms of toss and team."
The possibility of a four-pronged pace attack is an option, with Matt Henry - called up to replace the injured Neil Wagner - joining Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson.
There's also the alternative of Daryl Mitchell stepping up, Williamson said.
"Over recent times, that's the balance we've had with along with Colin de Grandhomme, whose been a huge player for us.
"Daryl as an allrounder, he certainly can offer with the ball but perhaps is more of a batting allroundfer. So that's perhaps a potential role, or the fourth seamer option we've been using most recently."
A win over Pakistan, following the Black Caps' 101-run first Test victory, will bump New Zealand up to first in the ICC's world rankings and give them a solid chance at making the final at Lord's in June.
However, that's not something that's a focus for Williamson, who recently climbed to the top of ICC's Test batting rankings, overtaking Indian captain Virat Kohli and Australia's Steve Smith.
"There are so many things you can't control, it's not worth trying," he said.
"For me, it's always about trying to make as big a contribution as you can to the team and that's where I think you get the most satisfaction and enjoyment.
"These things around it, the ranking things, just sort of change every day. They're perhaps opportunities to reflect, but knowing full well that every day's different, every day brings its own challenges, and it's important to keep your focus in those areas."
