Another standout performer in domestic cricket is poised to make a long-awaited Blackcaps debut in the first test against West Indies in Hamilton.
Just three days after South African-born Devon Conway starred for the T20 team, Will Young may earn his first cap, with an injury cloud hovering over one of the team's senior players.
Coach Gary Stead has confirmed Young will play, if wicketkeeper BJ Watling's hamstring injury rules him out.
"Tomorrow, we'll make a call on whether he's a chance or not," says Stead.
Young's been in this position before. Eighteen months ago, he was supposed to face Bangladesh in Christchurch, replacing captain Kane Williamson, before the terrorist attack saw the test cancelled.
But sheer volume of runs has given him another chance.
"It's always helpful, when you put your selectors hat on, when you have genuine competition for places," says Stead. "I think Will's scored 4-5 'A' centuries in the past couple of years."
Young's been a standout in the West Indies' warm-up series against New Zealand A and if there was any doubt Conway would be ready for the international stage, he put those to bed in the recent T20 series.
Conway's joined the squad as cover for Watling, but won't be jumping the cue, with the coach staying loyal to a squad that's only lost one of their last nine series.
"It's been a settled team and I think that's helped us have some of the success we've had," says Stead.
"Guys know it's not one performance that will have them in or out of the side."
Says veteran fast bowler Trent Boult: "It's brilliant, it's been a very healthy competition... it makes guys work hard for their spots and not get complacent in any respect."
The Blackcaps can’t afford that complacency this summer - they must win all four tests, if they're to stay a chance of qualifying for the inaugural test championship final at Lord's.
Join us on Thursday for live updates of the Blackcaps v West Indies first test
