The all-rounder's spot appears to be the only place left for the Blackcaps to decide on, as the team prepares for the second test against Bangladesh, beginning in Christchurch on Sunday.
After the shock eight-wicket loss to Bangladesh at Mt Maunganui this week, the Blackcaps enter the second test in a do-or-die situation if they're to maintain their streak of eight consecutive home series without defeat.
The team's 17-match unbeaten run was ended by the Tigers' upset victory at Bay Oval, with the visitors now on the cusp of a maiden series victory over New Zealand.
The nature of Bangladesh's victory, outclassing the Blackcaps with bat and ball, has understandably led to questions being asked in terms of selection.
But with seamer Matt Henry and batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell as the only other options in the 13-man squad, there is little the Blackcaps can do in terms of wholesale changes for the second test.
Mitchell is the likelier of the two to get the nod for the second test, going up against Rachin Ravindra for the No.7 spot.
And as captain Tom Latham explains, the decision to either back Ravindra as the sole spinner in the absence of Ajaz Patel, or opt for another seamer in Mitchell will be the determining factor as to that final place.
"It's probably just the all-rounder," Latham says.
"In terms of whether we believe spin may come into it, or whether the extra seamer may be of use.
"We'll assess that in the morning."
Despite Christchurch's status as a safe haven for New Zealand's seam reliant strategy, Latham also concedes that a good weather forecast over Hagley Oval for the coming week could come into the decision-making process, with hotter weather to see spin enter New Zealand's thinking later in the test.
"We'll have a look at the surface tomorrow. Obviously we've got another day of it, and the weather's meant to be quite nice over the coming days.
"We'll assess that in the morning."
Join Newshub for live updates of the Blackcaps v Bangladesh from 11am Sunday.
