Shortly after lunch yesterday, Murali Vijay was practising his batting shots as he stood at first slip.
The Indian opener dropped into his catching position and approximately one second later the ball, delivered by luckless Mohammed Shami, flew off the edge of Kane Williamson's bat to his left.
Vijay, his mind perhaps still on his back foot defensive mime and certainly a fraction late in reacting, spilt the regulation chance.
A day's cricket can hinge on such moments. Williamson was on 32. New Zealand should have been 72 for four. By stumps the board had a vastly different look.
The only other time Williamson appeared discomforted yesterday was when he fell awkwardly completing a run and studied his left hand for a couple of minutes.