Steve Smith and Kane Williamson's battle to be the best batsman in the world shapes as an intriguing sub-plot in the trans-Tasman Test series.
Much has been made of the fact Australia will regain the No.1 Test ranking if they defeat New Zealand 1-0 or 2-0 in the contest that starts on Friday in Wellington.
Top spot on the International Cricket Council's Test batting charts is also on the line.
Australian skipper Smith sits first with 899 points, with New Zealand wonderchild Williamson second on 889 points.
Both have a strong claim to the title of world's best Test batsman.
Both pick gaps in the field and seem to hit the ball wherever they want, no matter where it is pitched.
Both are leaders - Williamson is fully expected to take over the Test captaincy following Brendon McCullum's retirement.
But Smith denies there's any sort of rivalry because of all that.
"I don't see any real competition there. For me, it's just about doing what I can for the team and trying to contribute by scoring big runs," Smith said.
"Kane is a quality player all around the world. I think he's scored runs in all conditions.
"He's a key scalp for us."
McCullum agreed.
"He's a massive player for us. He's been at the epicentre of the turnaround of the team," the outgoing Black Caps' captain said.
"Since he's developed as a world-class player, we've banked a lot of runs, which has given our bowlers a lot of time to bowl teams out."
Williamson posted scores of zero, 60 and 18 in the recent ODI series.
McCullum rubbished the notion that Australia had a mental edge over the talented first drop.
"World-class players make adjustments. Australia bowled very well to him in the one-dayers on different surfaces to these Tests," he said.
"He'll make the adjustment - he's such a good player.
"Just as (David) Warner and Smith will adjust after reasonably lean series as well. They're all big wickets."
Smith was out for 18, 2 and 21 in the one-dayers in Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton.
"I was a bit disappointed with my performances but that's the game of cricket," the 26-year-old said.
"I'd like to have a big (Test) series with the bat."
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