Auckland left-arm seamer Michael Bates is on target to make his international cricket debut in the Black Caps' final one-day international against Zimbabwe.
Bates, 28, has been included in the New Zealand 12 for the match in Napier on Thursday.
Tim Southee is the player to miss out, while batsman Dean Brownlie is sidelined with a fractured finger.
Skipper Brendon McCullum says the selection decision is tough on Southee, who has bowled well, but it is a case of giving new players opportunities.
Bates was one of four newcomers in the 14-man ODI squad and the three others - Canterbury batsman Tom Latham, Canterbury allrounder Andrew Ellis and Central Districts leg-spinner Tarun Nethula - have all made their debuts during the past week.
After wins by 90 and 141 runs in the first two one-dayers, McCullum admits maintaining focus at McLean Park could be a challenge for his players, with South Africa's tour fast approaching.
However, he says one of the things the Black Caps have talked about throughout the Zimbabwe series is continuing the momentum than began with their Test win over Australia in Hobart in December.
"So far we've done it and that's what's going to be expected of this team in this game as well," he said.
"Certainly no excuses from our point of view. We have to stand up. We have to make sure we put out another ruthless performance, where we execute in the right areas and put them under pressure."
McCullum said Zimbabwe had shown the Black Caps in the past they couldn't be taken lightly, notably in Bulawayo last October when they chased down a target of 329.
"If we take our eye off the ball, if we don't give them the respect they deserve, they can certainly come back and take the game to you."
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