The Blackcaps could be forced to scramble a playing XI for their T20 World Cup warm-up against the Netherlands on Sunday (NZ time), with captain Kane Williamson and batsman Mark Chapman battling injury concerns.
Currently in the UAE before their T20 World Cup campaign begins on October 27 against Pakistan, the Blackcaps will face the Netherlands in Dubai on Sunday, Australia on Tuesday, and England on Wednesday.
But tomorrow's fixture against the Netherlands could see the Blackcaps short-handed, with just 10 players available.
Both Williamson and Chapman are battling hamstring niggles, while the quartet of Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Tim Seifert and Lockie Ferguson won't be available after being involved in the final of the Indian Premier League on Saturday.
Williamson is also battling a troublesome elbow concern.
The shortage could see the Blackcaps forced to look elsewhere for an extra player, although former wicket-keeper turned batting coach Luke Ronchi jokes that he won't be the one to step in.
"At the moment, we've got a couple of guys - Kane and Mark Chapman - who'll be sitting out," Ronchi says.
"So we've got a few little niggly things that we've got to keep on top of. Outside of that, the rest of the guys are raring to go.
"Obviously our Kolkata and Chennai guys aren't available, so that's another four guys out. We've got 10 guys at the moment, so hopefully you won't see this old man out on the park at all."
Sunday's warm-up will be the Blackcaps' first taste of any cricket since September's tour of Bangladesh, before their tour of Pakistan was cancelled for security reasons.
"It'll be good to get out in the middle, see the guys get about their business, and play the brand of cricket that we want to play," Ronchi adds.
The Blackcaps will face Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and two other nations still to qualify when they enter the T20 World Cup at the Super 12 stage later this month.
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