First they transformed an England Test team at one of its lowest ebbs. Then they made history with a 3-0 victory in Pakistan that convinced even the most doubting of curmudgeons ‘Bazball’ can work against any team in all conditions.

Now, for their next trick, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum will attempt to conjure up their particular brand of cricketing magic under lights with a pink ball here on Thursday night - against a New Zealand team beaten in England last summer at the start of this new era.

Not that this rock hard pink Kookaburra ball which has few admirers in the England camp should actually be needed in the day-night Test and first of two matches here.

Twilight will come with barely an hour of each day’s play left so surely it should be possible to play with a red one under lights for such a minimal part of the day? Apparently not, sentencing us all to what should be a fascinating Test with a ball barely fit for purpose.

The good news is that, remarkably, it does seem there will be a first Test despite Cyclone Gabrielle hitting the north island and the New Zealand government declaring a state of emergency for areas including the Bay of Plenty on Monday.

Mount Maunganui somehow escaped the worst of the storm and the drainage system at the Bay Oval ground appeared to have coped well with the deluge, meaning the game should start on time unless more rain falls during Thursday.

That will give Stokes the chance to continue his mission to ‘leave a mark on other people’s careers’ after naming his team two days out.

Stuart Broad returned, as expected, to probably take the new ball alongside his old strike partner Jimmy Anderson, with Ollie Robinson and Jack Leach joining them in the attack.

As ever, there was much conjuncture on Monday about the condition of Stokes' left knee and whether he will be fit enough to balance the attack. 

The captain did not play in the warm-up game last week and has not bowled in two days practice. England have somehow been able to get in the giant permanent marquee on the edge of the Bay Oval ground.

But, equally as ever, Stokes shrugged off any concerns about his fitness and said: ‘Everything is good. I don’t feel the need to play in warm-ups anymore to get ready for a Test and, bowling-wise, I’ve had the last two days off and will have a trundle tomorrow.

‘It’s just making sure I get in everything I need to before we start. It will be similar to Pakistan – picking the moment when it will be best to get my overs in.’

The captain made it clear that he is far more concerned with other members of his team than himself. ‘I’m at a stage where I would much prefer to leave a mark on other people’s careers than make mine more established,’ said Stokes.

‘I’ve played a lot of cricket and done some great things with some great teams over the years. Being captain now I’ve got a real desire to make the best out of the team I’ve got here and players who will come in the future. 

'I just want these guys to have amazing careers and if I can influence that in any way, shape or form then I’ll be happy.’

England were certainly in a more serene mood than the hosts on Monday, as New Zealand were forced to rule out two of the most important members of their attack. 

The desperately unlucky Kyle Jamieson will miss the series with a stress fracture in his back while Matt Henry is still at home in Christchurch awaiting the birth of his first child.

An obvious answer to New Zealand’s problems lies merely 20 minutes from the Bay Oval where local boy and Black Caps legend Trent Boult lives. He is fit and apparently available, but New Zealand ruled him out because he has given up his national contract to instead concentrate primarily on franchise cricket.

‘We have spoken to Trent and it has been decided we will give priority to centrally contracted players and that’s what we’ve done on this occasion,’ said New Zealand coach Gary Stead. ‘It does not mean we have ruled Trent out from anything in the future.’

Instead of Boult, New Zealand have made a controversial move in calling up along with Jacob Duffy a bowler many here do not think should represent the Black Caps.

Seven years ago Scott Kuggeleijn stood trial accused of rape and was then tried again a year later before being found not guilty after the original jury could not reach a verdict. 

He has subsequently played white-ball cricket for New Zealand but now stands to make his Test debut with his call-up attracting criticism in New Zealand on Monday.

‘I get given the players I can choose from and we have gone for a resilient character from a bowling point of view,’ said Stead, who insisted it was not his job to make a moral judgment on Kuggeleijn. ‘He was on the list of those I could select,’ he added.

At least one of Duffy or Kuggeleijn are expected to play in an under-strength home side but England have no such problems. They will be hot favourites to extend a winning run that began with their 3-0 victory over New Zealand and now stands at 10 victories in 11 games. It really should be 12 wins from 13 by the end of this series.