New Zealand will give some seasoned players a rest in their home one-day series against Bangladesh, which begins on Sunday.
Following a drawn Test series in Bangladesh last week, the teams will meet in Dunedin for the first of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
Kane Williamson and Tim Southee are among the senior players who will be rested. Joshua Clarkson, 26, and seamer William O’Rourke, 22, are both in contention to make their international debuts.
Adithya Ashok, 21, of India, has also been called up to the team following his Twenty20 debut in August.
In November, New Zealand advanced to the World Cup semi-finals before falling to hosts India.
“There are opportunities with a few guys resting. “We’re hoping the new guys come in and show off their skills to the best of their abilities,” captain Tom Latham said on Friday.
“It’s a really exciting bowling attack,” Latham said, referring to O’Rourke and fellow seamer Kyle Jamieson, both of whom are noted for their pace and bounce.
O’Rourke, who was born in England, has broken into the New Zealand ODI team after impressing for the Canterbury team since his debut in early 2022.
Clarkson impressed on the New Zealand ‘A’ team’s August and September trip of Australia.
On Thursday, Bangladesh warmed up with a 26-run victory over a New Zealand XI, with all-rounder Rishad Hossain capturing three wickets and scoring 87 runs.
“We know most of the players,” Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto stated as he assessed the hosts.
“Some of them are very new, but we will have some footage.”
The second ODI is scheduled for Nelson on Wednesday, followed by Napier on December 23.
Following that is a three-game Twenty20 series.