But at the top of the list is who will make it out to the middle.
The training sessions have proved calamitous for both sides.
Star New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra collided with a boundary fence during fielding practice yesterday and cut his face. He is in doubt for the opening game of the three-match series.
When questioned about the incident, Black Caps captain Michael Bracewell told media Ravindra was still being assessed.
But key Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is definitely out. He fractured a bone in his right wrist after being struck by a straight drive by Mitchell Owen during a net session yesterday.
Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe has been whistled in to replace him.
Maxwell’s absence will strip a bit more quality from the Australian lineup, which was already below strength.
Josh Inglis was ruled out with a calf injury before the series, and with Maxwell also now out, Australia are without two of their more versatile and dynamic batters.
Cameron Green is skipping the series to play in the Sheffield Shield to prepare for the Ashes.
Pat Cummins is out with a back complaint, and Nathan Ellis is on paternity leave.
New Zealand, too, have a long list of absentees.
All-rounder Glenn Phillips (groin), dashing opening batter Finn Allen (foot), bowlers Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) and white-ball captain Mitchell Santner are sidelined.
Former captain Kane Williamson has made himself unavailable.
While there are a host of talented players missing, the series will still be a lot more competitive than when the teams first met 20 years ago in the first T20 international.
That game is more memorable for the Black Caps’ decision to go with a retro beige uniform and matching facial hair.
Ricky Ponting blasted an unbeaten 98 from 55 balls at Eden Park and Australia won by 44 runs.
The game ended when umpire Billy Bowden showed Glenn McGrath a red card for threatening to bowl an underarm.
No-one took it too seriously, but two decades on and the "hit and giggle" format is increasingly important on the global stage.
Black Caps opener Tim Seifert’s decision to sign a casual playing contract rather than a full contract underlines that point.
The big money is in the short-format franchise cricket.
But he remains committed to playing international cricket for New Zealand.
The Chappell-Hadlee trophy, which bears the name of two of the countries’ most important cricket families, is an excellent opportunity to cement his spot at the top of the order, particularly with next year’s T20 World Cup looming.
"That’s what you want. You want to be involved in World Cups," Seifert said.
"They’re the pinnacle of the sport, and to represent your country in World Cups, that’s what you dream about as a little kid.
"Hopefully, all going well performance-wise, I could put my name in the hat for that selection."
The Bay Oval has been renamed the "Beige Oval" to mark the 20-year milestone.
Chappell-Hadlee Series
Mount Maunganui, 7.15pm
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell (captain), Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Bevon Jacobs, Tim Robinson.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Alex Carey, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Philippe.
