The Black Caps yesterday named a squad of 12 for the opening test against the West Indies beginning on December 1.
It is a list of all the usual suspects but included a large carrot for one lucky New Zealand A player.
The selectors will add an extra member to the test squad following the three-day warm-up match between New Zealand A and the West Indies beginning on November 25.
It is perhaps a thinly disguised invitation for the New Zealand A pace unit of Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Scott Kuggeleijn to shine.
Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen is in Dunedin this week to watch the first-class game between Otago and Central Districts at the University Oval.
He told the Otago Daily Times the trio had a good opportunity ahead.
''We are not going to go up front and say who we are going to add and what skills we are looking for,'' he said.
''But there would be a probability that we will have a good look at Milne, Kuggeleijn and Ferguson against the Windies and see how they go.''
Ferguson was in terrific form last week. He picked up 12 wickets for Auckland in the 135-run win against an Otago side which contained many experienced batsmen.
Kuggeleijn has been one of the best-performed seamers in the country for the past two seasons, and Milne is probably the quickest in the country when he is fit and in rhythm.
''We are looking at the [New Zealand A] game with the red ball in mind but there is a lot of white ball cricket this season.
''What selection is about is players putting compelling performances on the board.''
Black Caps wicketkeeper BJ Watling has been named in the test squad but he has a hip complaint and will need to prove his fitness with the gloves during Northern Districts' round five match against Otago at Molyneux Park next week.
Watling is playing as a specialist batsman for his association this week so he should be fine.
However, if he is ruled out, then New Zealand A keeper Tom Blundell will probably earn promotion, although Northern Districts gloveman Tim Siefert is another player the selectors are hoping to develop and give opportunities to.
All of the Black Caps have been made available for the Plunket Shield this week and Larsen said it was crucial the internationals showed their class at domestic level before the test series against the West Indies.
''I think we are going to see some spicy cricket across the country for the next four days. To me it must lift the bar and the standard of cricket being played.
''As a selector, you expect the incumbents to go back to domestic cricket and excel and dominate.''
