The Blackcaps will be without skipper Kane Williamson for the second test against the West Indies in Wellington, starting Friday.
Earlier on Thursday, the batsman extraordinaire returned to Tauranga to attend a midwife's appointment with his pregnant wife, who is expecting their first child.
Later in the afternoon, he flew back to the capital to rejoin the squad, prompting the Blackcaps to announce he'd be available to play.
But in what shapes to be the final twist of the saga, the Blackcaps have now confirmed that Williamson has chosen to head back to Tauranga to be with his wife and will play no part at the Basin Reserve.
Will Young will come into the side as his replacement and bat at number three. Tom Latham will fill in as captain.
"It's a decision that we've come to around the best interests for him and for [wife] Sarah and also for our team long-term in terms of him being in a good place," says coach Gary Stead.
Recently promoted to joint-second in the ICC test batting rankings, Williamson was instrumental in the first-test win against the Windies in Hamilton, scoring a mammoth 251 in the first innings to set the platform for a dominant NZ victory.
In other personnel news, keeper-bastman BJ Watling has been cleared to return to the starting XI.
The middle-order mainstay missed the first test due to a hamnstring injury, but has been given the green light for selection this weekend.
"He obviously adds experience to our team in the middle there, so it's great to have him back as well," says Stead.
Stead will name a 12-strong game-day squad, then make a call on Friday morning whether Daryl Mitchell or Mitchell Santner drop out.
Join us at 11am Friday for live updates of the second Blackcaps v West Indies test
