Amidst all the attention on the All Blacks, Super Rugby and the World Cup, it's another New Zealand sports team that is making a quiet yet impressive rise from the ashes.
The Blackcaps, for so long criticized and cast aside as also-rans by the media, have carried on their impressive form from the summer which seemed all so long ago and won only their 2nd test series in the West Indies in their history and their first test series overseas against a side in the top 8 since well the West Indies in 2002.
Not only that, the Blackcaps are doing it in some style with the deepest bowling stocks we've probably ever seen. The Blackcaps can call on the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner along with allrounders Jimmy Neesham and Corey Anderson. There's also young Adam Milne, Mitch McClenaghan, the ill-disciplined Doug Bracewell and the experienced Kyle Mills if need be too.
We're looking good with the slower stuff too - Mark Craig has emerged as a handy all round option down the order and had a superb debut to his test career. He complemented Ish Sodhi very well - Sodhi is making big strides in his cricketing career.
As for the batting, there's still a lot to be worked on particularly with the opening partnership. Tom Latham has emerged as a long-term prospect for one of the opening batting positions but it remains to be seen who will join him - Hamish Rutherford is probably the best option long term over Peter Fulton but Rutherford's form hasn't been good so should selectors persist with him?
Elsewhere, Kane Williamson has emerged as a rock in the New Zealand batting lineup complimented by the more aggressive Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum, while Jimmy Neesham and Corey Anderson look set for battle royale over the allrounder position in the middle of the batting order.
It is easy to forget that for all of Jimmy Neesham's centuries, he was actually in the side for "regular" Corey Anderson.
What now for the Blackcaps? They can look forward to a break before their next commitment against South Africa in October at home before Sri Lanka visit and then the World Cup.
They can also look forward to a further rise up the rankings as a result of this series win - they should move ahead of the West Indies and could possibly even go ahead of England and Pakistan - England lost to Sri Lanka and Pakistan haven't played much this year. Therefore, the Blackcaps could find themselves in 5th behind Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and India.
Can they get to number 1? Probably not, but they could come really close and that series against Australia - day/night test notwithstanding - the following summer will be one to watch if the Blackcaps can maintain this upward momentum under coach, Mike Hesson.
Even if they don't, it's a ride that Blackcaps fans have been waiting so long for and are right now savouring every moment of.
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