The new passenger flying home with the Black Caps was given a special seat and named after an ex-Kiwi cricketer after being the talk of the party for their World Test Championship victory.
The trophy the Black Caps were awarded after beating India on Thursday (NZ time) was not a conventional cup.
Instead, captain Kane Williamson lifted the ICC mace after his side won the inaugural World Test Championship final in Southampton, England.
Black Caps quick Tim Southee with the mace on their flight home after winning the World Test Championship final against India.
Trophies are often central to teams celebrations typically, with alcohol drunk from a cup but the mace the Black Caps had their hands on has been nicknamed Michael Mason after the former New Zealand fast bowler.
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Black Caps quick Trent Boult said that was sticking.
Waggy [Neil Wagner] probably hasnt let the mace go since last night, Boult said.
The boys are ecstatic. There’s been a mixture of emotion and jubilation.
The ICC mace was awarded to the Black Caps for winning the World Test Championship.
Once we get home and through quarantine, well hopefully continue the celebrations.
Mason, formerly of Central Districts, featured in one test for the Black Caps in 2004 and played 26 one-day internationals (ODIs) from 2003-10.
Boults bowling partner, Tim Southee, had the mace as they boarded the plane home on Friday (NZ time).
Michael Mason, left, with Ross Taylor after claiming the wicket of England’s Kevin Pietersen in a one-day international in Hamilton in 2008.
Last night was brilliant. To get the job done after it went down to the wire on day six was very special, Boult said.
There was some emotion for the boys in the camp. There was a fair bit of frustration with the [bad] weather around.
Its been hard to gauge the reaction from back home because we’re so far away, but Im sure there is a lot of emotion and a lot of pride.
The messages have been flying through. We cant wait to get home and celebrate with everyone.
Jimmy Neesham, who plays for the Black Caps in ODIs and Twenty20 cricket, tweeted his concern about drinking out of the mace.
I only really have one problem with the World Test Championship and that’s how the hell are you meant to drink out of a mace, he said.
Beauden Barrett drinking out of the Bledisloe Cup after a test in Dunedin in 2017.
He then jumped on a suggestion to use it to stir drinks in the Bledisloe Cup.
All Blacks halfback Brad Weber, replying to Neesham, said lets 100 per cent make this happen.
The Bledisloe Cup, which is contested for annually in rugby tests between the All Blacks and Australia, is a large jug that is often filled up with alcohol after its won, something the All Blacks have done since retaining it every year since 2003.