Gary Stead's Blackcaps must now come down from the euphoria of their historic test series victory over Pakistan to prepare for a somewhat different proposition next weekend.
The New Zealand cricket side has returned home from the United Arab Emirates, where they overcame the 'home' side in the third test to clinch a 2-1 series win - the first away success against Pakistan in 49 years.
From the spinners' paradise of Abu Dhabi, they must now adapt back to local conditions to take on Sri Lanka in Wellington on Saturday.
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"It will definitely be a different challenge," says Stead, who replaced Mike Hesson as national coach earlier this year.
"We've got to come down off the high a wee bit, and the travel home and getting to see families again, which I think is really important.
"The guys are used to it these days - it's probably people like me that have to get used to it more.
"Our focus is now playing Sri Lanka, and playing a good style of cricket that Kiwis are proud of and want to come and watch."
Players and management have a few days off, before regrouping on Wednesday to being the new campaign.
One of the immediate questions that needs answering is which spinner will receive the nod to take on the Sri Lankans, given that New Zealand conditions will likely favour a seam-bowling attack.
A feature of the victory over Pakistan was the twin-spin approach taken, with debutants Ajaz Patel and Will Somerville leading the charge. They only received their opportunities with front-liners Mitch Santner and Todd Astle injured, and also edged out top limited-overs option Ish Sodhi.
"It's hard, but that's a really good place to be in," agreed Stead. "There will be one that will be selected."
While the home series against Sri Lanka was important, Stead admitted there was a special focus on offshore success, with the international test championship looming.
"New Zealand has a great record at home, but if you look at the test championship, the teams that are likely to get through that competition are the ones that do well away from home.
"We're very aware that two of ours are Sri Lanka and Bangladesh away, and they're tough to beat in those conditions.
"[The Pakistan series] was our last chance to test a few things, before those tours in the future."
The Blackcaps have two tests against Sri Lanka - the second begins Boxing Day in Christchurch - followed by three one-day internationals and a T20 outing at Auckland's Eden Park.
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