Axed Black Caps opening batsman Aaron Redmond was philosophical following Saturday's announcement which saw four changes to the national side for the test series against the West Indies.
Redmond makes way for in-form Auckland left-hand opening batsman Tim McIntosh for the first test starting at the University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday.
Wellington pace bowler Mark Gillespie switches places with Chris Martin, and all-rounders Jacob Oram and James Franklin replace two specialists, batsman Peter Fulton and swing bowler Tim Southee.
While disappointed to lose his spot, Redmond said he only had himself to blame.
"When you choose a career in sport you've got to realise when you get opportunities you have to take them," Redmond told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"You have to be consistent in international sport and at times I didn't kick on and score enough runs when I know I should have.
"I've scored 70 and 80-odd but those are the type of scores you want to push on to big 100s [from].
"I'm disappointed but it is how I respond to it once I'm back in the first-class scene.
I've got to keep my head down and keep working hard."
Redmond is the last in a long list of openers who have come into the squad for a handful of tests and then found themselves discarded like yesterday's bread.
Ironically, Redmond's selection for the tour of England earlier this year was at the expense of his Otago team-mate and captain Craig Cumming, who has also fluttered about on the fickle winds of selection.
Redmond's critics thought his elevation to the national side was premature, given he had opened the batting in first-class cricket for only a season.
A poor series in England, which saw him net just 54 runs from three test matches, gave his critics credence.
The selectors kept faith and Redmond repaid that debt with a gutsy innings of 79 against Bangladesh to help his side escape with a three-wicket victory when defeat looked imminent, and an impressive 83 against Australia in the second test.
The latter innings, especially, boosted his confidence.
"When you score runs against a side like that, obviously it does help your confidence a lot.
I can take a lot away from that innings and now I've got some time back in the first-class scene, I can take that confidence into my game."
Redmond will rejoin Otago for its first-class fixture against Auckland in Auckland next week.
While opening batsmen have tended to have a short life expectancy, there was some surprises in the other selection decisions.
Martin has been one of the better performed bowlers in recent times but will have to watch the test series on his television.
Black Caps selector Glenn Turner told the Sunday News it was a tough decision.
"We didn't feel we could play both Mark Gillespie and Chris Martin, particularly in Dunedin, because in recent times it's gone from being a seamers' paradise into one that's very low and slow," Turner explained.
"So for the balance of the attack, we really needed to select one or the other."
Franklin's inclusion is curious.
He has been in superb form with the bat for Wellington, scoring 448 runs at an average of just under 150.
But his bowling has been handy, rather than outstanding, with seven scalps at 27.85.
If picked as a genuine all-rounder, batting at No 6 or 7 and bowling first or second change, then there is little to quibble about.
But with Jacob Oram returning from injury you have to wonder whether there is room for both.
If he does not carry the drinks, Franklin will likely bat in the lower order at No 9.
While he will lengthen the tail, arguably he will weaken the bowling attack.
Iain O'Brien bowled well in Australia and should retain his spot and Patel could come into the XI if the University Oval pitch is as dry as expected.
