As they prepare to dust off and don the whites, and change the colour of the ball, the two-test tilt against Bangladesh is more than just another test series for the Blackcaps.
"It's been a while," said captain Tim Southee, a day out from the start of the first test Sylhet.
"It's been a heavy diet of white-ball cricket, so the guys are just happy to be playing some test cricket, and it's the start of a new test championship cycle, which is exciting."
A swift switch of focus means the delight and disappointment of the one-day international World Cup is now very much in the past.
"I think it is firstly acknowledging how special that World Cup was," said breakout star Daryl Mitchell.
"To be in India, in front of millions of people is always special and then recognising what an opportunity we have in a new test cycle in the World Test Championship.
"It's always challenging coming straight from a World Cup and the efforts that the boys put in there over a long period of time.
"Having had a few days to relive those memories and put those in the past, here we are now getting stuck into some test cricket."
The hectic nature of their schedule is a reflection of the state of the global game. This tour continues what's already been a busy year away from home for many.
"I just want to cherish every moment I can, wearing the silver fern," said Mitchell. "I've had six days at home since April 9."
Before the side's first test in Bangladesh in 10 years, that regular overseas experience, particularly in the subcontinent, may prove crucial.
"If we'd come straight from green wickets in New Zealand to Bangladesh wickets, it's a big change," said assistant coach Luke Ronchi.
"For the majority of our group here, they have been in India, they have been at the World Cup, so they have been practicing on different surfaces."
The Blackcaps will face a different looking Bangladesh line-up, with captain Shakib Al-Hasan one of five first-choice players out, due to injury.
"To not have them here from a spectacle point of view is disappointing," Ronchi admitted.
"I think, from our point of view, when you have to play against them, you know the challenges you've got when you do, so to not have to is a good thing."
The Blackcaps haven't won a test match in Bangladesh since 2008. Their last visit was in 2013, when both matches ended in draws.
"We achieved some pretty cool things last summer as a test side and we've been put on ice as group for a while, so just looking forward to getting back out there and playing some test cricket," added Southee.
Watch live, free-to-air coverage of the first test between the Blackcaps and Bangladesh on ThreeNow from 4pm, Tuesday or follow along via our live updates
