Black Caps newcomer Rachin Ravindra admits he's still soaking up everything he can but in no way feels like the rookie in the side.
Rachin Ravindra Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The squad is now settled in Southampton in England, with the second group from New Zealand, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner and BJ Watling arriving today.
The first Test against England is two weeks away.
Despite being in isolation 21 year old Ravindra says he still feels very much part of his first Black Caps squad.
"Unfortunately I can't soak in as much as I'd like just because of the whole Covid situation , but I'm still able to communicate with my team-mates and learn from our time at the Lincoln camps and I'm sure it will translate into training in the next few days."
The Wellington allrounder was named in the touring party six weeks ago but admits he's still pinching himself being around some of the biggest names in New Zealand cricket.
"Seeing everyone in Black Caps kit and guys I've idolised growing up, travelling over with them, it's a pretty cool experience and even just time with such a world class team I'll cherish every moment of it."
While he admits to still being a bit jet-lagged, Ravindra has made the most of the down time while stuck in his hotel room, challenging Darryl Mitchell as the team's PlayStation champion on FIFA, NBA 2K and Call of Duty.
Trainer Chris Donaldson has also now arrived at their base and immediately got the team involved in some physical exercise over Zoom
The closest piece of cricket equipment he has with him in his room is an English Duke ball, something the spinner hopes to be tweaking plenty over the coming weeks.
"I've been throwing up a Duke ball and getting use to it in my fingers and trying to feel the ball a bit more as it's different to the Kookaburra (that is used in New Zealand)."
While he's continuing to soak up everything that he's either seen or heard in recent weeks, Ravindra admits he doesn't want there to be an overload of information.
"I think it's definitely a balance for me and if I can find whatever works in the long term, but everyone is so willing to help, so it makes the job a lot easier.
"I'm a cricket fan at the end of the day, I enjoy cricket so much so whatever cricket is going on around the world I like to keep tabs on it."
Ravindra playing for Wellington Photo: PHOTOSPORT
And Ravindra and his team-mates will get first hand viewing of cricket over the next few days from their hotel rooms overlooking the Rose Bowl where Hampshire will host Leicestershire in a County game.
Players spend the first three days in isolation in their hotel rooms, before mini training groups of six can be established from days four to six, pending negative Covid results.
A three-day team intra-squad game is scheduled for next week with six local bowlers, who have been isolating, will help make up the sides.
Ravindra played the Under-19 World Cups in Bangladesh in 2016 and in New Zealand in 2018 and played for New Zealand A against Pakistan A in the UAE at the end of 2018... he then made his debut for Wellington later that summer.
"In terms of cricket development I've come a long way since then, I definitely understand my game a lot more and since becoming a professional cricketer (2020) I've learnt how to balance that in terms of your mindset with taking time off and still working hard."
However the Black Caps is something new for the youngster and he has no doubts the team environment has played a part in the side's success in recent years .
"Such a fun environment to be involved in and I don't feel like I'm the rookie per se, I'm welcomed and I can just be myself which is credit to the senior guys and the support staff for building such an amazing environment."
Ravindra will be heavily involved in net sessions for the touring side and there is a chance that he won't actually play in any of the Tests, but he's enjoying whatever comes his way at this stage.
1st Test vs England, Lord's, London, June 2-6
2nd Test vs England, Edgbaston, Birmingham, June 10-14
World Test Championship final vs India, Southampton, June 18-22
-RNZ
