If Bangladesh didn't already have enough to worry about heading into their tour of New Zealand, they can expect to face a fully fit and firing Neil Wagner.
Despite his status as one of the Blackcaps' most important test weapons, Wagner hasn't suited up for New Zealand since June, with his last game of any kind being the World Test Championship final victory over India.
The fast bowler had the start of his first-class season wiped out by New Zealand's COVID-19 lockdown in August and was unlucky to miss out, as the Blackcaps opted for specialist spinners Ajaz Patel and Will Somerville during their 1-0 series loss in India.
But now out of quarantine, Wagner can begin to prepare for the next assignment - the first of two tests against Bangladesh, beginning January 1 at Mount Maunganui.
Bowling coach Shane Jurgensen insists Wagner will hit that first test in trademark style.
"He is absolutely fizzing, he is ready to go," Jurgensen says.
"Poor guy, just the way that things worked out with COVID earlier in the home summer with the domestic season, he hasn't played a game since the World Test Championship final.
"He's good to go. He's been bowling heaps, physically good to go with his strength and conditioning.
"He'll be really primed and ready to go for the first test."
Wagner will almost certainly reunite with fellow Blackcaps seamers Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson for that opening test, with Jurgensen conceding he doesn't expect New Zealand to divert from its four-pronged pace attack.
That would almost certainly condemn Patel to a role on the sidelines, despite his historic 10- wicket haul in New Zealand's loss to India at Mumbai.
"At this stage, pace has been the main way that games have been decided in New Zealand in test cricket," says Jurgenson. "I don't see that potentially changing any time soon, but at the same time, it could.
"At this stage, I look forward to the summer ahead. We're very thankful to have done what we've done and been able to play overseas, thankful to the Government for supporting us.
"MIQ's been great in here for us, [but] we're really looking forward to the home summer. It's going to be really exciting."
