The Black Caps will go into the first test against Pakistan with an extra batsman but one less bowler.
With all-rounder Jacob Oram retired from test cricket, the unfortunate injury of his likely replacement James Franklin and Jesse Ryder's injury, the way was paved for the selectors to reshuffle the wonky top order.
But the selection panel of Glenn Turner, Mark Greatbatch and Daniel Vettori have resisted making wholesale changes and opted to strengthen the batting order at the expense of the bowling attack, perhaps buoyed by the return of Shane Bond.
With the pitch at Dunedin's University Oval traditionally bowler-friendly, the Black Caps will go into the match with six specialist batsmen, Greatbatch said.
Wellington's Grant Elliott and Canterbury's Peter Fulton will join Ross Taylor in the middle order and incumbent openers Tim McIntosh and Martin Guptill and gritty left hander Daniel Flynn retain their spots.
"Obviously, with Oram retiring and Ryder injured it left some spots open," Greatbatch said.
"We've got a lot of work to do in test cricket and I think it is time we really started competing.
It is a five-day game.
It's not a sprint, it is a marathon," he added.
"We are looking for guys to dig deep.
Obviously, with Elliott, his form in the one-dayers has been exceptional.
"We are giving him another opportunity to play test cricket and see if he can produce consistent form in the longer version.
"He is the sort of player we are needing for a bit of glue.
"Our batting is an area where we need to improve."
Elliott has played three tests with little success but in one-dayers he has scored 610 runs at an average of 43.57.
The South African-born 30-year-old has been selected as a specialist batsman.
He has a niggly knee injury and is not considered a bowling option at this time, Greatbatch said.
Fulton forced his way back into the side after scoring heavily for Canterbury in a Plunket Shield match against Otago.
He scored 172 and 77 to help set up the 115-run win.
He "impressed" for the emerging players over the winter and deserved another crack, Greatbatch said.
Fulton's opportunity probably comes at the expense of Otago skipper Craig Cumming.
Cumming was twice dismissed cheaply in a three-day warm-up match against Pakistan but has been in good touch.
"He was our reserve cover for the top order in Sri Lanka but we've stuck with Guptill and McIntosh because we want to give players a good chance to get into the role.
"McIntosh showed [yesterday] he is the sort of player who, if he can get in, can bat a long time and that is what we're requiring from our top order."
McIntosh scored an undefeated 131 in his second innings to help the New Zealand Invitation side reached 231 for two after resuming day three at 24 for one.
The match was called off at afternoon tea.
Franklin was not considered.
He injured his knee while batting in the warm-up game and will have a scan to determine how bad the injury is.
