England 167 and 421-6
New Zealand 460-9 declared
The first day was lost to rain. New Zealand made amends, asking England to bat and razing them in 55 overs before tea on the second. Hamish Rutherford led the hosts' batting, becoming the ninth New Zealand batsman to score a century on debut.
The Black Caps bowlers were confronted by an unresponsive pitch to repeat their first innings dose on days four and five. They applied themselves, but doubts surrounded how nightwatchman Steve Finn lasted 284 minutes on his way to 56, and how Alastair Cook and Nick Compton broke a 29-year record for opening partnerships against New Zealand by posting 231.
England led by 128 with four wickets in hand. A cracking sixth day's play... in theory.
Exhibit 2: v England, Wellington, March 14-18, 2013
England 465
New Zealand 254 and 162-2 (following on)
The opening two tests read like Agatha Christie whodunnits with the final chapter, let alone page, ripped out.
England reciprocated New Zealand's Dunedin dominance, but this time fortune fell in the hosts' favour.
Rain hit at lunch on the fourth day with New Zealand 153 for two. Six overs and nine more runs were possible after tea with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor building an unbeaten 81-run third-wicket stand to blunt England's attack.
A wet curtain dropped on the final day.
The teams played out a last ball thriller to draw the final test at Eden Park with New Zealand unable to secure the one wicket required for victory.
Exhibit 3: v West Indies, Dunedin, December 3-7, 2013
New Zealand 609-9 declared and 79-4
West Indies 213 and 507
Rain hit this riveting contest by stealth.
Having said that, the test's importance shrank into the shadows on the third day when the Herald revealed three former New Zealand players – later named as Chris Cairns, Daryl Tuffey and Lou Vincent - were under the International Cricket Council's spot-fixing microscope. Vincent subsequently admitted wrongdoing, Cairns and Tuffey maintained their innocence.
On the field, Ross Taylor compiled his maiden test double century as part of New Zealand's declaration at 609 for nine. After the West Indies were dismissed for 213, Darren Bravo delivered a rearguard 218 as part of the visitors' 507.
The game was left in the balance with the hosts awkwardly placed at 79 for four, chasing 112 to win.
Exhibit 4: v South Africa, Dunedin, March 8-12, 2017
South Africa 308 and 224-6
New Zealand 341
Recidivist host Dunedin was at it again, with several overs lost to bad light on days three and four. Rain rolled in for the final stanza to force an abandonment.
There was also a 20-minute ground evacuation when a grandstand fire alarm punctuated South Africa's second innings at 14 for one.
This contest was evenly poised. New Zealand held a 33-run first innings lead, but South Africa reached 224 for six to maintain a 191-run second innings advantage.
Dean Elgar and Williamson traded centuries, Keshav Maharaj took five for 94, Trent Boult got injured and Tim Southee had been dropped in favour of playing Jeetan Patel as a second spinner.
"Batting last would have posted its challenges," Williamson said. "But it was by no means impossible, even with the ball taking turn."
Exhibit 5: v South Africa, Hamilton, March 25-29, 2017
South Africa 314 and 80-5
New Zealand 489
New Zealand overcame the injury-enforced absences of Boult, Southee and Taylor to pin South Africa at 80 for five at stumps on the fourth day, despite rain delays on the opening two days.
Pitter-patter was the only sound heard at Seddon Park on day five.
"I was hoping it might stop or it might come a little bit early and fine up," Williamson said, after suffering a rude awakening in the team hotel.
In contrast, Faf du Plessis was gracious accepting the draw.
"New Zealand can count themselves unlucky. The rain has come at a terrible time for them.
"They dominated this test and deserved to have a crack at us today. We've been saved by the rain."
England might feel that way too, come Monday night.
