The Otago Daily Times understands Cumming will be selected as one of three specialist openers for the tour of Sri Lanka when the team is named today.
The 33-year-old, who last played a test against Bangladesh in January 2008, had a summer to remember for Otago.
He scored 784 runs at an average of 65.33, including four 100s which equalled Glenn Turner's record of four centuries in a season for the province.
Cumming's season tally was the second-highest by an Otago batsman.
Only Turner has scored more for the province when he plundered 1027 runs in the summer of 1975-76.
The right-hander also had a wonderful one-day season, scoring 421 at 70.16.
Given the numbers Cumming posted it was a surprise he was not offered a New Zealand Cricket contract late last month.
Cumming's partners at the top will almost certainly be Aucklanders Tim McIntosh and Martin Guptill.
Gritty Northern Districts left-hander Daniel Flynn should retain his place in the order at No 3 with Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder rounding out the top five.
Jacob Oram and James Franklin will likely compete for the all-rounder's spot.
Oram has been plagued by injury and question marks remain about his ability to continue making contributions in the longer form of the game.
The 30-year-old has not played a test since October.
Franklin has been successful with the blade at first-class level but at international level is more in the useful bracket.
The left armer has a reasonable record with the ball but if he does not get swing he can get expensive.
A left-field selection might see promising Northern Districts teenager Kane Williamson called into the squad.
Williamson scored 707 runs in first-class cricket at 54.38, and took 16 wickets at 37.12 with his right arm off-breaks.
He is a serious talent and a name to watch for in the future.
Chris Martin, Iain O'Brien and Kyle Mills should be among the first seamers picked.
Newly-contracted pace bowler Brent Arnel and former New Zealand strike bowler Daryl Tuffey could also come in for close consideration.
Spinner Daniel Vettori will skip the side with Wellington off-spin bowler Jeetan Patel likely to get the nod over Otago's Nathan McCullum.
McCullum, though, will feature in the one-day plans.
Gareth Hopkins should have the inside running to back up gloveman Brendon McCullum.
Shane Bond should make his return during the limited-overs phase of the tour.
Otago pair Neil Broom and Ian Butler, Northern Districts wicketkeeper-batsman Peter McGlashan and Wellington all-rounder Grant Elliott will also be strong contenders.
New Zealand will play Sri Lanka in two tests, five one-dayers and two twenty/20 fixtures in August and September.
Possible squad For Sri Lankan tour
Daniel Vettori (captain), Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Craig Cumming, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Jacob Oram, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum, Gareth Hopkins, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Iain O'Brien, Chris Martin.
