Bell, who returns to lead the team after breaking a toe last month, is 43 runs shy of the all-time record of 6494 first-class runs held by former international Bruce Edgar.
He currently has 6452 runs for Wellington and moved into second place ahead of Robert Vance (6440) during his team's last Plunket Shield match against Central Districts before Christmas. Wellington enter the match in Auckland disrupted by injury, with Bell's opening partner Josh Brodie being forced to withdraw after breaking a finger at training yesterday.
Also on the injured list are Dewayne Bowden, Harry Boam and Mark Gillespie.
Bowden has tendonitis in his right knee, Boam has a torn abductor muscle and Gillespie has been suffering continued discomfort from a long-term back injury which has delayed his return to first-class cricket.
Balancing the ledger to a degree is the return of wicketkeeper Chris Nevin from a thigh strain. Also named in the Wellington 12 are top order batsman Michael Pollard and fast bowler Sunnie Chan, who have yet to play at first-class level.
Wellington (from): Matthew Bell (captain), Michael Burns, Sunnie Chan, Cameron Merchant, Chris Nevin, Neal Parlane, Jeetan Patel, Michael Pollard, Stewart Rhodes, Robbie Schaw, Malaesaili Tugaga, Luke Woodcock.
