The victorious New Zealand team had a new passenger on their flight back home on Friday.

The mace the Black Caps were awarded after beating India in Southampton was given a special seat and named after an ex-Kiwi fast bowler Michael Mason after being the talk of the party for their World Test Championship victory.

Trophies are often central to teams’ celebrations – typically, with alcohol drunk from a cup. Mason played one Test and 26 ODIs.

The team — minus the players who are staying back for The Hundred and county stints — is expected to land in Auckland on Saturday morning, and Trent Boult is hoping the celebrations would continue at home after they get through their quarantine.

“Waggy (Neil Wagner) probably hasn’t let the mace go since last night,” Boult was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz. “The boys are ecstatic. There’s been a mixture of emotion and jubilation. Once we get home and through quarantine, we’ll hopefully continue the celebrations.

“It’s been hard to gauge the reaction from back home because we’re so far away, but I’m sure there is a lot of emotion and a lot of pride. The messages have been flying through.” We can’t wait to get home and celebrate with everyone.”

The party began in the dressing room at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton and continued all evening at the Hilton hotel.