Sixty minutes of good cricket could have a major impact on the outcome of the today's test between the Black Caps and the West Indies at the University Oval.
The first hour in any test is always a critical period, and West Indies vice-captain and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin has underlined the importance of the initial exchanges.
The pitch, he suggested, was greener than the tracks in the Caribbean and batting was likely to be a challenge this morning.
''It looks like a good batting track,'' he said, adding there appeared to be ''something in it'' for the seamers.
''The first day is going to very important - the first hour. Whoever wins the toss will have to make the most of the opportunity either batting first or bowling.
''It is not like the Caribbean where you can hit through the line. You have to assess the conditions and bat very long. The New Zealanders are going to bowl in [good] areas and try to get wickets early, so we will need to work hard as a batting group.''
The tourists have had a disrupted build-up. They were roped in to play a series in India to help farewell Indian great Sachin Tendulkar, and that seriously eroded the time they had to prepare for today's series opener.
The sudden change from hot and humid India to the more temperate climes of Dunedin has seen many of the players don beanies and extra layers of clothing to cope.
Some sickness has also swept through the camp. The team was waiting to see how everyone got through yesterday's training session before settling on a 12.
The Black Caps have also had a setback with top-order batsman Kane Williamson ruled out with a thumb injury. He has been replaced by Otago opener Aaron Redmond, who makes his return to the test side after a five-year absence.
''I haven't heard a lot about Aaron Redmond but I know Kane Williamson is a guy who likes to bat long and is a player who is very important for them.''
Asked if he thought the Black Caps batting line-up was vulnerable with one or two players out of form and Williamson missing, Ramdin responded,''I don't think so.
''I think the experience in their camp is going to play a big part and they are playing at home as well, so they will have that confidence. We had the better of them in the Caribbean but now we are playing in their backyard and so they would like to have the better of us here.''
