Adam Milne, like the rest of the Birmingham Phoenix, was left to ponder what might've been after they turned in arguably their best performance of the 2023 Hundred in what was to all intents and purposes a dead rubber finale against London Spirit.
This was the sort of performance that belonged in 2021, when the flamboyant Phoenix - with the Hundred new and capturing the imagination - took the group stage by storm before falling short in the final. In between, across 2022 and 2023, they'd lost four matches on home soil - three to opponents and one to the rain.
They have, to their credit, posted successive Edgbaston wins against the London pair, but this night was lit up especially by Milne, who'll likely be back here at Edgbaston a week on Sunday in the colours of his country for a T20I.
"It was similar to how we batted in the first year [2021] maybe when one guy would get a bit of a score and then others would power through, hit some boundaries and get us up to a really good total," Milne told BirminghamLive. "It's a shame we haven't played like that the whole comp but in the shortest format - sometimes you can just flow through a bit of form, and it just wasn't our tournament this year.
"It was nice. The batters went out there, set the tempo and got a really good score. Jamie Smith batted really well. To come out, under the lights and to get it swinging around and take those wickets was really nice. Tanveer and Liam took some wickets in the middle always helps as well. I felt as good in the Oval game as well. It always looks nice when it's swinging around and you can get past the bat.
"I've loved this tournament. I enjoy playing for Birmingham, under Dan [Vettori]. He's a very relaxed coach and even this year when it wasn't going well, we didn't get too out of control - he just stays relaxed and we try and get those performances out there. Again, it wasn't our season but we have shown in a couple of games what we're capable of."
A bowler of the calibre and capabilities of Milne would otherwise be a certainty for selection in any other cricketing nation. New Zealand, despite their size of population, have developed an incredible knack down the years - but particularly in recent history - of bringing through a whole host of talented bowlers.
Trent Boult is out of the white ball picture, but Tim Southee captains the squad which also has the returning Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson within its ranks.
"So many bowlers from New Zealand are performing well and are playing for New Zealand," Milne said. "Any opportunity to go out, play a game of cricket in front of a crowd, you want to put on a good performance."
If he does line up against England, as expected, next Sunday at Edgbaston, he can expect a different sort of treatment from the Hollies who marvelled at his bowling and cheered his success in a Phoenix shirt: "I feel like there could be a bit of jeering thrown my way! But I'll enjoy that."
