Change is in the wind with Andy Moles replacing John Bracewell as coach of the national side.
And with the top order going so poorly, it is not hard to imagine the next batsman to score a big hundred suddenly catapulted into the Black Caps squad.
Who knows? Broom could be that guy if his purple patch continues.
Broom has had a mixed start to the summer.
He struggled to score runs in club and districts cricket but turned the corner with a fighting half-century in Otago's campaign opener against Northern Districts at the University Oval last month.
He batted for nearly 5hr and it was far from a vintage performance. His timing was absent and when he did find the middle of the bat he also found the field.
The normally punishing right-hander scored just four runs from his first 70 deliveries. Watching the innings was like waiting for traffic lights to turn green.
"We were battling to get first innings points and I thought I'll just hang around and get some time in the middle. I was struggling . . . and had spent plenty of time on the bowling machines. But there is no substitute for time in the middle."
Broom reaped the rewards for his patience with a fine undefeated knock of 140 in his next innings.
Patience is a highly prized virtue in New Zealand cricket, with the Black Caps' top order labouring to spend extended periods at the crease.
Last season the selectors made a point of picking players who could do just that.
Wellington's Matthew Bell and Central Districts' Mathew Sinclair were recalled but had mixed success and soon found themselves on the scrap heap.
A test call-up is way too premature, but so far Broom has scored 215 runs at an average of 107.50 and is in the prime position to collect on the dozen beers he has wagered with Todd.
Otago has made one change for its match against Central Districts starting in Napier today.
Left-arm seamer Craig Smith replaces all-rounder Sam Wells in the 12. Smith was ruled out of Otago's first two matches with a hamstring injury.
Otago's No 1 bowler, Warren McSkimming, has been left out of the side. The medium-pacer has recovered from a calf strain but has not had an opportunity to prove his match fitness and will play club cricket tomorrow.
Central Districts has made the perfect start to the four-day tournament with maximum points from its first two encounters.
Ewen Thompson is the competition's leading wicket-taker, with 12 scalps at 15.41, and is the highest-ranked player under the new most valuable player system.
Otago opening bowler Neil Wagner is the highest-placed Otago player, in fourth place.
Otago v CD
Napier, today
Otago: Craig Cumming (c), Hamish Rutherford, Greg Todd, Neil Broom, Shaun Haig, Nathan McCullum, Derek de Boorder, Ian Butler, Neil Wagner, Mat Harvie, James McMillan, Craig Smith.
Central Districts: Mathew Sinclair (captain), Doug Bracewell, Bevan Griggs, Greg Hay, Peter Ingram, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jacob Oram, Brad Patton, Richard Sherlock, Ewen Thompson, Tim Weston, George Worker.
