Replacing Brendon McCullum as New Zealand test cricket captain was a simple decision; filling his place in the batting order slightly more problematic.
McCullum's presence was profound on the New Zealand team during his three years and, if his batting in the middle order always remained a touch hit and miss, largely down to his perpetually aggressive intent, he was still capable of stunning, record-bashing innings.
First dibs on McCullum's No5 spot has gone to Canterbury left-hander Henry Nicholls, who this week is preparing for his seventh test, against India at Kanpur, since his debut against Australia in Wellington last February.
He hasn't set the game on fire, but he's had his moments, enough certainly to encourage coach Mike Hesson to drop a thinly-veiled suggestion this week that Nicholls will be around the national side for the long haul.
Nicholls struck 59 on debut, then prospered as New Zealand folded in the second test against South Africa at Centurion. He had a double of 36 and 76 in testing batting conditions against formidable pacemen Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.