By the end of the tourists’ second innings, Rae was striding in with his Dennis Lillee action in full pomp. Whispers of a fledgling fan club emerged, and rumours swirled that headband stocks had been depleted across the country in numbers not seen since the legend of Chris Martin.
The nine-wicket second-test victory also guaranteed Rae a seat for one of the New Zealand game’s most revered traditions: the wicketkeeper and bowlers’ limousine ride up Mt Victoria.
Match figures of 6-111 – three wickets in each innings – from 30 overs was a quality return, but Rae brought a cult status to proceedings.
The hint was laid by Tom Latham with an impish grin pre-match.
“He’s a bit of a character. It’s an environment where you can come in and be yourself straight away, and he’s certainly done that.”
Daryl Mitchell added to the myth mid-test.
“I don’t know if you know Razor well, but he’s a beauty.
“He brings a lot of energy to the group with the sweatband charging in. He loves doing a job. He’ll probably have to do a lot of hard work into the wind at times, but he’s awesome to have around.”
So it proved.
Each time Rae powered to the crease, he wafted his right forearm and wrist away as if holding a wand and preparing a magic trick which, you could argue, occurred six times.
In the first innings, three balls into his second spell, the tension broke when he claimed a maiden wicket.
John Campbell shaped to flay a cover drive that found Mitchell at first slip as Rae reaped the rewards of dialling back to a good length.
Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach, after first-class bests at Hagley Oval, also succumbed to his conjuring when he pitched up and secured a caught behind and lbw respectively.
Rae hit the top of Campbell’s off-stump to propel New Zealand’s charge through the West Indies’ second innings on the second day.
After a night’s rest, he roared back to secure the prime wicket of Shai Hope. Rae forced a false shot with a full ball, pouching him caught-and-bowled.
Jayden Seales completed the sextet of dismissals with an edge wafting outside off-stump.
The sight of Rae wandering on to the hallowed turf to celebrate with Canterbury teammate and fellow debutant Mitch Hay in the aftermath felt deserved; a moment to savour.