Daryl Mitchell's feeling at home in his test debut.
Daryl Mitchell Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019
The Black Caps all-rounder scored 73 on day two of the second Test against England at Seddon Park in Hamilton, sharing in a 124-run partnership with BJ Watling, to help New Zealand post 375 in the first innings.
"Debuting on your home turf's pretty cool," Mitchell said.
'Even just to wake up in your own bed and spend time with your family in the morning sort of calms everything down and probably gets rid of the nerves a little bit.
"To be able to play at home's pretty special in front of friends and family."
The most high-profile member of his family, his dad, former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, wasn't able to make the journey back from England for the occasion.
"By the time I found out it was too hard for him to fly back in time.
"I'm sure he was sitting at home watching with a beer and with a big smile on his face."
Mitchell, 28, also felt at home batting with Watling, a player he regards as a "pretty special human".
"I've played with BJ a fair while now with ND and it was quite nice to have that cool, calm head out there just to sit there and say a few jokes and keep each other pretty level.
"We recognised that we needed to sort of build a partnership and bat for as long as we could and try and put England under some pressure."
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019
Watling again frustrated England, occupying the crease for 263 minutes as he scored his 55.
"He's a massive leader within this group.
"He's played some seriously significant performances for this group over the last few years.
"Just watching how he not only goes about on the field during the game, but how he prepares, how he does off the field as well I think it's something that we all definitely look up to, I know I do personally."
Mitchell was more positive in his innings, with his 73 coming from 159 deliveries and highlighted by a big six down the ground.
"I guess I've played a certain way to try to get to this point to play for New Zealand and I'd be silly if I try and change that.
"I guess that's how I want to try and play my cricket ... is be positive and at the end of the day the job of a batsman is to try and score runs so I'm just trying to find ways to score runs."
But Daryl Mitchell is trying to not look beyond this match, with a three test tour of Australia looming.
"I'm just happy to be here at the moment.
"I didn't think I'd be here two days ago so I'm just enjoying every moment and what will be will be, but I just want to try and win a test match for New Zealand."