Sick of twenty/20 yet? Well, you better get used to it because, love it or loathe it, it is here to stay and it is taking over this month with the second edition of the ICC world twenty/20 tournament in England from tomorrow until June 22.
The Black Caps have a fortunate draw - more on that later - and, with an once of luck, could find themselves contesting the semifinals.
The national side has made an art form out of reaching the final four before bowing out.
It lost to Pakistan in the semifinal of the inaugural world twenty/20 tournament in South Africa in 2007 and has made one-day semifinals in 1975, 1979, 1992, 1999 and 2007.
It is hard to gauge the form of teams with international twenty/20 played so sporadically.
But it is a format which would seem to suit the Black Caps, although their record is not impressive (played 21, won 8, lost 11, tied 2).
Arguably, New Zealand's record has suffered from not knowing how to approach the game.
Otago showed the way during the domestic season.
The Volts' willingness to attack with the bat throughout the innings demonstrated scores of 200-plus are achievable on a regular basis.
There is no real secret. You whack the ball as hard and far as you can, bowl with discipline and field like demons, and it is as much about attitude as it is execution.
Otago opener Hamish Rutherford profited from plenty of what could only be described as ugly thick edges.
Unperturbed, he would hit the next delivery from the meat of the bat to the boundary.
They all counted. The Volts batted deep into the order and that also gave the side confidence to keep attacking.
The Blacks Caps have a good core of Otago players in the squad with Brendon and Nathan McCullum, hard-hitting all-rounder Ian Butler and middle-order batsman Neil Broom.
Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori and Scott Styris have all had experience in the Indian Premier League which should serve the Black Caps well.
But the Indians should start as favourites.
The defending champions have had the ideal warm-up with the IPL having recently wound up.
The squad has a settled look with nine players returning from the side that claimed the title in 2007.
Pakistan has been the most consistent international twenty/20 side and cannot be underestimated.
The subcontinent teams, however, are seldom recognised as quality fielding units.
South Africa has a list of potential match-winners in Herschelle Gibbs, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel.
Australia's unshakable confidence is bound to get it through to the business end of the competition, but without power hitters Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden the side looks weaker.
The Black Caps are the other team worth considering reaching into your wallet for that stray fiver.
The hitting power of Brendon McCullum, Taylor, Oram and Ryder should ensure some fireworks.
Vettori's spin aside, the bowling could struggle, but then twenty/20 games are won by batsmen.
Perhaps the best reason to get in behind Vettori's men is the draw.
New Zealand is in group D with South Africa and Scotland.
South Africa will be difficult but as long as the Black Caps beat Scotland at the Oval on June 6, they will secure a place in group F in the super eight.
From there they will likely face matches against Bangladesh at Trent Bridge on June 11, Pakistan at the Oval on June 13 and Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge on June 16.
In the group of death, India, Australia, England and South Africa do battle.
The semifinals are scheduled for June 18 and June 19 with the final on June 21.
