KEY POINTS:
When cricket batsmen are in scorching form, they say the ball looks big to them. It appears as large as a beachball or pumpkin and they don't believe there is any way they are going to be dismissed.
Wellington Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz is in that zone.
"Everything
on the pitch, things seem to happen slower," Smeltz says. "That's the way it feels. I'm comfortable all over the park now."
The 26-year-old has been in that place for the past 18 months. Before that, it had been a struggle. He couldn't find a club in England and had to settle for playing for non-league AFC Wimbledon instead.
Everything changed, though, on May 26, 2007. He scored a double in the All Whites' 2-2 draw with Wales and hasn't stopped scoring since.
He grabbed nine goals for the Wellington Phoenix in their inaugural season, finishing second in the race for the A-League's golden boot, and has also scored in six consecutive games for the All Whites to equal Keith Nelson's record set 20 years ago.
In only two A-League games this season, he's found the back of the net three times.
"There's no clear answer," Smeltz says when asked what his secret has been. "That Wales game was a turning point.
"At the time, it was right for me. My wife was pregnant [with their first child] so, with a baby coming, I was nice and relaxed. It was a real buzz to play in the game firstly and then to come away with two goals and a good result for New Zealand gave me a hell of a lot of confidence and it has rolled from there.
"I don't know what has kept it going so well but I can't see it changing. I am focused and relaxed, and I'm happy."
The Phoenix hope it continues. They need it to.
They were dreadful in their last outing, a 3-0 defeat in Adelaide a fortnight ago that Smeltz missed through illness, and have failed to match the expectations placed on the side after such a successful pre-season campaign.
Smeltz's form has not gone unnoticed outside of New Zealand. He has already been the target of other A-League clubs and the Phoenix have tried to move swiftly to tie their prized asset down to an extended contract.
It's not something he has dwelt on - he still hasn't seen his new baby daughter who was born in Adelaide 10 days ago - but admits it's nice to be linked with other clubs.
"It's obviously better than being at the other end and not wanted," he says, presumably remembering what it was like when things weren't going so well.
"It's a nice situation to be in. I would consider everything if it was right. If something was decent enough overseas, I don't think the Phoenix would hold me back, but I haven't really thought about it."
Coach Ricki Herbert certainly hopes Smeltz will stick with the Phoenix for some time yet. He's worked with him since he controlled the Olympic side in 2002 and always believed Smeltz would make it as a professional footballer.
"I wouldn't swap him for any other striker in the A-League," Herbert says.
"I think any other club would want to sign him. Eighteen months ago, he might have been lucky to get a trial with them.
"There's always been something there with Shane, for me. He's matured well and he's happy on and off the pitch."
The Phoenix would be happier, too, if he continued his rich vein of form in front of goal.