Trent Boult has reiterated he still wants to play test cricket for the Blackcaps, despite its unlikelihood after opting out of his New Zealand Cricket central contract.
Last August, Boult was released from his NZC contract, in order to ply his trade as a freelance Twenty20 cricketer.
In the time since, the 33-year-old represented New Zealand at last year's T20 World Cup in Australia, but has largely played in various leagues around the world.
At present, Boult is with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, but has also played for Melbourne Stars in Australia, and Mumbai Indians Emirates in the UAE.
However, despite being in New Zealand during the Blackcaps' 1-1 test series draw with England at the start of the year, Boult was overlooked by selectors - who have always maintained selection priority would go towards contracted players.
The non-selection came at a time when the Blackcaps' pace attack was severely understrength, as debuts were handed to the pair of Blair Tickner and Scott Kuggeleijn instead.
Boult has always maintained his want to play test cricket, but hasn't featured for New Zealand in whites since June last year, when the Blackcaps were swept 3-0 by England.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, though, Boult says he hopes the door isn't shut on his time in tests, as the Blackcaps' calendar takes shape with marquee series on the horizon.
"There are some big tests coming up next year," he said. "Australia and South Africa are due to travel to New Zealand. And test cricket is still my favourite format.
"I've played nearly 80 tests and had some pretty great times in the Black cap, but they said that, if I chose to move away from that contract, my time in it would be limited.
"And I'm pretty sure they've never had anyone play test cricket that isn't contracted - so that probably makes it hard as well."
In 78 tests, Boult has taken 317 wickets at an average of 27.49 - sitting only behind Sir Richard Hadlee (431), current captain Tim Southee (370) and Daniel Vettori (361) for New Zealand.
Boult also doubled down on his want to play at this year's Cricket World Cup, held in India.
New Zealand Cricket has outlined Boult - along with fellow non-contracted players Martin Guptill and Jimmy Neesham - will be considered for the World Cup, as the Blackcaps look for redemption from controversially losing the 2019 final.
"It's such a great tournament," he added. "One hundred percent, I've got that desire to be out there.
"We're a great one-day side. We've got some players that have travelled to India and experienced the conditions a lot, and that's what it comes down to in World Cups.
"You can't buy experience, and you can't replace players that have toured for however many years across these conditions."
