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New Zealand's cricketers have experienced a change in scene, personnel alterations and an unmistakable rise in the hype surrounding the World Cup since they swapped St Lucia for Antigua.
Yet one constant has remained - results continue to fall their way.
England's predictable seven-wicket elimination of Kenya yesterday
ticked off another box on the Black Caps' wish list.
They fancy England's chances of taking points off a big-name rival in the Super Eights, although any backslapping over India's demise remains on hold until Bangladesh play Bermuda in Trinidad today.
An anticipated Bangladeshi victory over the competition's biggest minnow will officially end India's involvement.
New Zealand, who can look forward to a winnable Super Eights game against Ireland, may also play that game at Georgetown, Guyana.
Providence Stadium resembles a construction site and there is every possibility the six games scheduled for the venue will be split between Queens Park Oval in Trinidad and Jamaica's Trelawny Stadium.
Keeping 15 players fit is the main concern for the Black Caps after Lou Vincent and Daryl Tuffey both suffered tournament-ending injuries.
Vincent, who had just scored a century in New Zealand's last pool game against Canada, broke his wrist after being struck on the hand by a Shane bond delivery in a net session and a replacement has yet to be named.
Tuffey heads home today where he will need more treatment on a biceps injury suffered while bowling against Canada.
His replacement, Chris Martin, will join the tour party today and will be vitally interested - like the rest of the squad - in what conditions the Black Caps can expect to face at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The new 20,000 capacity arena is complete but the wicket block on a ground lauding the tiny island's favourite son has been subject to a degree of conjecture.
Antigua has traditionally been a batsmen's paradise. Brian Lara scored his test-record unbeaten 400 at the ramshackle Recreation Ground against England in 2004.
This trend is expected to remain although the pre-tournament scouting has only had the flimsy evidence of low-quality trial games as a reference point.
The West Indies host Australia there tomorrow, a match that is sure to fire the variable enthusiasm surrounding a tournament spread over eight nations.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming will keep a watching brief on that contest though he is already aware the toss will be a pivotal moment given the continuation of 9.30am starts.
The winning captains here have invariably inserted the opposition to try and make inroads before the sun burns off any moisture content.
"Assessing conditions is going to be crucial, as it will be the whole way through," Fleming said.
"Hopefully [the wicket] isn't going to be a massive factor but if it does then we've got to pick the right team and the right tactics."
Martin is unlikely to figure but given the wayward performance by Michael Mason against Canada, he could climb up the pecking order instantly given Mark Gillespie is on notice at training today to prove he is over a viral infection that depowered his bowling arm.
If Gillespie's Cup campaign is over before it really began then Andre Adams, despite being under suspension, could join the ranks of hard-hitting medium pacers already showing they have the ideal skill set for the West Indies.
Fleming acknowledged the squad faced a more challenging assignment on several fronts. "The West Indies have had a lot of success there," he said. "They're playing some pretty good cricket."
- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF
