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With the cricketing world focused on the machinations between Australia and India, it would be easy for New Zealand to relax ahead of an another anticipated romp over Bangladesh.
Whatever happens at the Basin Reserve from tomorrow's toss, the second and final test will be very much an afterthought compared to the sparring of two cricket heavyweights across the Tasman.
New Zealand's players, watching the drama themselves, admit their attempt at a rare clean-sweep is almost a sideshow as the main event resumes in Perth on Wednesday.
But they emphasise there will still be a hike in intensity from the first test win in Dunedin last weekend, given it is their last hit out before England arrive for a two-month tour.
Former captain Stephen Fleming scoffed at suggestions the overwhelming favourites' focus could waver against an opponent they have brushed aside with ease so far.
"It's pretty easy to stay motivated," Fleming said.
"It's a lot easier to turn up when you're expected to win instead of say a South African scenario where we were under the pump.
"We're enjoying being the dominant side but I guess we've got one eye looking towards the rest of the summer without slipping up against Bangladesh."
New Zealand's batsmen, aside from centurions Matthew Bell and Jacob Oram, have already been put on notice that they need to lift their game in Wellington with head coach John Bracewell acknowledging their shortcomings last weekend.
He said a score of 600 would have been an acceptable first innings - New Zealand managed 357.
Fleming did not quite concur.
"You can't have the perfect test every time," he said.
"It's nice to be 600 for two and bowl them out for 100 and 150 but that's not how the game works," he said.
However, the elegant left hander agreed the top order had to bat Bangladesh into submission in a contest in which they might only pad up once.
"We have to make the most of our opportunity. As an individual you want to cash in and you want to be one of the guys in the next game to get a hundred.
Matthew Sinclair, who scored 29 in his only bat in Dunedin, was another keen to make an impression against a battling attack.
"I know from a batting perspective I have a lot to prove after I didn't push on in Dunedin.
"There's a lot of talk about the top order going out and doing the bizzo, we're aware of that and we want to make the most of it."
Bracewell also insisted the Black Caps were not taking anything for granted as they sought to extend their unbeaten record against Bangladesh to six tests.
"We're pretty realistic as to where we're at when we do our review," he said.
"We look at our performance and set out what we want to do at the start of the series.
"I thought we were quite comprehensive in the one-day series in terms of ruthlessness. We had a day off being ruthless in Dunedin (when Bangladesh put on 148 without loss on day two) and that's not good enough if we're to compete with the big boys."
Both sides were to wrap up their preparations at the match venue today.
New Zealand are confronted with one selection issue - whether to retain Iain O'Brien as the third seamer or opt for Michael Mason. Mark Gillespie was ruled out yesterday with a shoulder injury.
The pitch is likely to count against spinner Jeetan Patel bowling in tandem with Daniel Vettori.
- NZPA
