Decisions, decisions, decisions.
The Black Caps have plenty of them ahead.
World Cup pace trio Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson return to the one-day side as the Black Caps chase glory in Australia.
The threesome were ruled out during the recent one-day series victory against India.
But they return as the specialist seamers alongside veteran right-armer Tim Southee and rising star Kyle Jamieson for the three-game Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series.
Jamieson made a big impact during the test series and was named in the squad ahead of the likes of Hamish Bennett and Scott Kuggeleijn, who have been overlooked.
Boult, Henry and Ferguson started for the Black Caps in the World Cup final, so will likely have dibs on starting spots.
Jamieson will probably have to wait for opportunity, as will test opener Tom Blundell.
He has scored two hundreds in six tests, including one against Australia’s formidable pace line-up.
Henry Nicholls probably has one of the opening spots cemented at this stage, so the only other way Blundell could force his way into the starting XI would in place of one of the all-rounders in Colin de Grandhomme or Jimmy Neesham.
But that would remove some hitting power and reduce the team’s bowling options.
The Black Caps will be leaving good players out whatever they decide to do.
That is a good position to be in going into a what shapes as a demanding series. The Black Caps were no match for Australia during the recent tests series across the Tasman.
Coach Gary Stead said the team would need to be at its absolute best to retain the prestigious transtasman trophy.
‘‘Playing Australia in Australia is one of the great challenges in world cricket and you know you will be severely tested in all aspects of the game,’’ he said.
“Our one-day unit is a pretty settled one with plenty of experience and I think that showed in the recent series against India.
“It’s great to welcome back the class of Trent, Matt and Lockie who spearheaded our run to the Cricket World Cup final last year.
“Kyle’s made every post a winner since his international debut this season and he’ll be a handy asset to have in Australia.
“It’s an honour to compete for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and I know it means a lot to the players to have the trophy in our cabinet.”
The series starts in Sydney with games at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 13 and 15, before moving to Hobart for the final match on March 20.
The Black Caps depart for Australia on March 9.
