Trent Boult is out to make amends when New Zealand host Australia in February's two Tests - a series he has long targeted as the apex of his summer.
Left-arm paceman Boult admits he has been on a slow burn since returning from a sizeable break ahead of the tour of Australia last November, when he failed to hit his straps in the 2-0 Test series loss.
It hurt a player who had shone throughout most of 2015 but he warns he is slowly rediscovering his best.
Even with two one-day international remaining against Pakistan, followed by three ODIs against the Australians, it's the five-day affairs in Wellington and Christchurch which have become a target for the 26-year-old.
"Against Pakistan I'm focused on trying to find a bit of rhythm, a bit of form," he said.
"I'll happily admit that the Test matches against the Aussies is probably going to be the pinnacle of the season.
"If I can keep ticking the right boxes and find a bit of form heading into the Test matches, I think I'll be pretty happy."
Swing merchant Boult shapes as a pivotal figure in the Test series given the uncertainty surrounding new ball partner Tim Southee, who bruised his foot in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Nelson four weeks ago.
Southee seems likely to miss the Chappell-Hadlee ODI series and is in doubt for the Tests.
Ranked the world's best ODI bowler, Boult cleaned up the Pakistan tail to claim 4-40 in the first game in Wellington on Monday but was most satisfied with his new ball spell.
"It came out the best it has for a while - just at the start more specifically," he said.
"I haven't played a heck of a lot of cricket but each game's kind of getting better for me. The Australian tour was a good learning curve."
New Zealand need to win one of the two remaining ODIs against Pakistan to continue a dominant home summer.
They outclassed Sri Lanka in all three formats and beat Pakistan 2-1 in their T20 series.
"We've been putting some good performances on the board at home. Now the big challenge is to go up against one of the best teams in the world," Boult said.
"To get the Australians here, in our home conditions, I can't think of a better challenge to see where we are."
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