Captain Tom Latham refused to blame fatigue for his New Zealand side crashing to a home test series loss against England on Sunday, weeks after their stunning triumph in India.
New Zealand haven't come close to recapturing the magic of the 3-0 sweep of India just five weeks ago, when they became the first team in 12 years to win a test series against the cricketing giants on Indian soil.
The balloon spectacularly popped against England, who stormed to emphatic wins in Christchurch and Wellington to clinch the lop-sided series with a game to spare.
The India series marked the end of nearly two months in the subcontinent for the Black Caps, but Latham denied a suggestion his players were still feeling the physical and emotional effects of what they had achieved.
"I don't think so, it's sort of a different squad, a few different personnel in this team," said Latham, referring to the switch in focus from spin to seam bowling to suit home conditions.
"But we came here to this series with high hopes of still trying to play our brand of cricket and sticking to that as best we can.
"We haven't been at our best, and credit to England, I think they've played fantastically."
Latham was giving few clues about potential player changes for the third test, which starts on Saturday in Hamilton.
Pressure is mounting to recall batter Will Young, omitted from both England tests despite being named player of the series in India for his run-scoring deeds.
Opener Devon Conway is without a century in his last 15 tests and could make way.
"We'll head to Hamilton and we'll wait and see what we believe the best team is to win that match," Latham said.
The test at Seddon Park will be the last for the retiring former captain and accomplished seam bowler Tim Southee.