South African-born Devon Conway has been called into the Blackcaps squad as injury cover for this week's opening test against West Indies in Hamilton.
After debuting for his adopted country in the T20 format over the weekend, Conway, 29, has taken another step in his rise up the international pecking order, brought into red-ball consideration, with wicketkeeper BJ Watling battling a hamstring niggle.
The specialist batsman was controversially left out of the longer format, after dominating domestic scoring statistics over the past two seasons.
Last October, he scored the ninth triple century in NZ first-class cricket with an unbeaten 327 for Wellington against Canterbury and was named Domestic Player of the Year for the second time in April.
Conway qualified to represent New Zealand in August and immediately showed his class, scoring 41 off 29 balls and 65 not out off 37, as the Blackcaps wrapped up a 2-0 T20 series victory over West Indies.
Coach Gary Stead is unsure of Watling's prognosis, but is comfortable his squad contains adequate cover.
"This is the first time we've managed to get a physio in front of him, so once I hear more from that, I'll know, but I'm guessing tomorrow [Wednesday] we'll make that call whether he's a chance or not," he says.
Opening batsmen Tom Latham and Tom Blundell are both experienced keepers, and Stead hints Blundell may be asked to take the gloves, with Will Young making his test debut at the top of the order and Conway next cab off the rank.
Join us on Thursday for live updates of the Blackcaps v West Indies first test
