As the enforcer of the Black Caps batting order, Brendon McCullum relished engineering England's demise.
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But for the man who represented New Zealand more than 400 times during a 14-year international career, the job description would be very different when the first test started at Lord's on Thursday night (NZ time).
Longtime Black Caps captain McCullum had taken over as coach of the English test side ahead of the three-match series.
A unique situation for everyone, including McCullum.
"I'm obviously a very patriotic person and I spent a lot of time playing for New Zealand. I'm very proud of where I've come from and the people I've represented over the years.
"[But] professional is such that you can only have one [head] coach of an international side, and Gary Stead is doing a great job for New Zealand.
Ever the professional, McCullum insisted his focus was on starting his tenure with a struggling England test side in positive fashion.
That didn't mean, though, the first morning of the first day wouldn't be a bit different.
"There's going to be a raft of emotions, no doubt.
"I wish the New Zealand boys well, I've got a lot of friends in that team ... I hope we can beat them."
It was a sentiment New Zealand fans wouldn't be surprised by, and one that would be welcome in the English dressing room.
Brendon McCullum batting during his last innings before retirement on Day 3 of the 2nd test match. New Zealand Black Caps v Australia. Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand. Monday 22 February 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Batter Jonny Bairstow said they were delighted to have McCullum, someone who he had always admired.
"[He's] someone that playing against and growing up watching I was very intrigued by and looked up to in many ways, the way he went about his cricket.
"I'm really excited about the prospect of working with him."
So, as the series was getting set to start, McCullum's appointment begged one obvious question.
Did his inside knowledge of the Black Caps camp give the English any kind of head start?
Stead didn't believe so.
"I'm not threatened by it.
"All the squads these days, the scouting suites they have, there is nowhere to hide for any player around the world."
McCullum was also playing down that factor.
Ultimately, he said, it was a question that wouldn't be answered until the series was completed.
"Obviously I know those guys so well.
"You know some of their weaknesses but you also know their strengths, it can be a bit of a catch 22 because you often hold those you know so well up on a bit of a pedestal.
"I've got to make sure I'm doing a job for our guys to make sure we put the New Zealand side under pressure."
Day one of the first test at Lord's was scheduled to start at 10pm (NZ time).
