The text messages were flying around the Black Caps' group chat on Wednesday morning.
Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga 2020 / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd
Their fate with regards to the World Test Championship final wasn't meant to be known for several weeks.
But after Australia confirmed concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa had forced them to postpone their upcoming tour there, New Zealand have secured their place in June's title decider.
Black Caps wicketkeeper BJ Watling said it was a nice surprise to wake up to.
"Yeah, I mean obviously very, very excited this morning.
"Great news after a fair bit of toil to get there and we're obviously looking forward to what will be a pretty special occasion."
But the news wasn't so nice for others.
Australia decision to pull out of their tour to South Africa had not gone down well with South Africa.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) Director of Cricket - and former test captain - Graeme Smith said he was extremely disappointed with the 11th hour postponement.
"With all that work that's gone in. With the level that CSA was prepared to go to comfort the Australians and make sure they felt safe and the tour could get underway...
"Cricket South Africa basically bent over backwards."
Former South African cricket captain Graeme Smith. Photo: Photosport
Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley defended their decision, citing the risk of sending players and staff to South Africa as simply too high.
But, while the move lessened Australia's chances of making the final, Hockley said they wouldn't be asking the International Cricket Council to extend the competition window which closed at the end of next month.
"I think we all knew the rules going in. That's what's made this decision really hard.
"At the end of the day, we had to listen to the overwhelming medical advice and we won't be pursuing [an extension] with the ICC."
That made India odds-on favourites to join the Black Caps in the decider.
The scenarios were many and varied but, essentially, a 2-1 series win or better at home against England would be good enough for the Indians.
The English needed a more convincing margin of victory, while Australia's only hope was for a close final result.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said they didn't have a preferred opposition.
"They're all magnificent test playing nations. It's just fantastic we have the opportunity to play one of them.
"Whoever it is, we've done enough and been skilful enough over a period of time that we've got to this stage."
The other good news for New Zealand was the recent confirmation of two tests in England in the weeks leading into the final.
Black Caps coach Gary Stead. Photo: Photosport
While some would view that as a big boost for the Black Caps, Stead didn't see it as such a big factor.
"It'll all really come down to how well we play on the day and are we in the right frame of mind. It's just exciting to get this far.
"It comes down to small battles all the time. Over a test match you see the big picture of the end result but there's a whole lot of things that have got to go into that for things to go our way."
Certainly the last time the Black Caps were at the likely venue for the final, things didn't go their way.
Covid permitting, London's famous Lord's ground is scheduled to play host - the place where New Zealand came so agonisingly close to lifting the country's first cricket World Cup title in 2019.
Test specialist Watling wasn't there that day, though, and was confident his team-mates that were won't have any lingering wounds.
"We've got to look forward to what we've got in front of us and that's a great opportunity to win a title, so I hope there's not too much baggage.
"The last time we played a test at Lord's was a pretty cool test against England. We didn't come out on the right side but we've got some reasonably fond memories of Lord's.
"I think the boys will be all right."
And with a draw or tie meaning joint winners of the title, Black Caps fans could rest easy knowing a boundary countback wouldn't deny them a first World Cup this time around.
