As one left-arm swing bowler departs the Blackcaps, another has emerged, with Auckland quick Ben Lister handed his maiden call-up for this month's Twenty20 series in India.
With Trent Boult pulling back from his national commitments, Lister is keen to make the most of his national call-up. And he's hoping his upcoming trip to India goes better than his last.
After a quick congratulations from his Aces teammates Lister was straight into his work at Auckland training.
But the 27-year-old will soon be trading the bluecap for black following his maiden call-up to the national side.
"I always grew up watching the Blackcaps," he said. "To be called into the squad is a pretty cool moment."
Lister’s left-arm swing bowling is something of a rarity in New Zealand and has proved a powerful weapon for Auckland in the Super Smash.
His pace and ability to move the ball away from the right-handers in particular drew the gaze of selector Gavin Larsen.
"It's an exciting selection," said Larsen. "Ben's moved his game forward really nicely over the last couple of years.
"We've watched him closely, we think he's advanced his game."
Now, Lister has an opportunity to advance it even further.
With Trent Boult stepping back from his Blackcaps commitments by opting out of his central contract, Lister is keen to fill the left-arm void.
"It's now created an opportunity," he continued. "It's a good job for guys like myself to try and step into that role, and hopefully do a job."
That's something he couldn't do on his last trip to India.
Picked for the New Zealand 'A' tour last year, Lister ended up in hospital with pneumonia without bowling a ball.
"That didn't go to plan, obviously," he joked. "But I'll just work on what I can control."
Lister can hope his second trip to the sub-continent goes a little better.
