Injured Blackcaps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has made the 800km trek north to the Basin Reserve - a journey he hopes will lead him back into the national team.
Neesham admits he'd stagnated at Otago and wasn't seeing his game go in the right direction.
Now, less than a year out from the World Cup, Neesham feels he's in as good a position as ever to challenge for a spot.
"I think anyone knows, after being in a job for 5-6 years, you get a bit comfortable and a bit complacent," he told Newshub.
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"I certainly stagnated after 2015 and 2016, after starting really strongly in Otago, It's now about drawing a line in the sand and starting again."
After bursting onto the scene in 2014, with a century on test debut - a knock largely overshadowed by Brendom McCullum's triple century - Neesham's been hampered by injury.
He concedes he was his own worst enemy on the comeback trail.
"The last couple of seasons, I think trying too hard has been a bit of a trend for me," he said.
"Over the last season, one of the things I learned coming back from that break is that most of the time, it's actually about enjoying the game."
Neesham is certainly starting to do that with the Wellington Firebirds.
He's back to peak fitness and this week's first round of Plunket Shield play is an early chance to impress the new Blackcaps coach
"Certainly, I am well aware those middle order spots for that World Cup aren't nailed down yet," said Neesham.
"But it's up to me go out on the field and take care of my job for Wellington, first and foremost."
Jimmy Neesham is holding nothing back in his drive to get back in black.
Newshub.
