It appears Jesse Ryder's future with the Black Caps is in his own hands.
He was yesterday named in a strong New Zealand A squad to play four 50-over matches in Dubai this month and early next month.
If he goes well, a place in the Black Caps' World Cup squad beckons.
If not, the search for a top-order batsman who can get through a few overs will continue.
On talent alone, Ryder's inclusion in the World Cup squad is a certainty.
But he has some well-documented baggage - the most recent being his expulsion from the test squad following revelations he had been out drinking with Doug Bracewell on the eve of a test earlier this year.
Bracewell has since been welcomed back into the fold, forcing New Zealand Cricket to defend Ryder's omission.
Ryder's strong county form and a whirlwind century for Otago in a warm-up game against Ireland recently has meant his absence has been hotly debated.
But just last week, Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum was uncertain whether he wanted the punishing left-hander back in the side because of concerns he had about Ryder's desire to represent his country.
Mike Hesson is also on record with doubts about Ryder, questioning whether he had made the required changes necessary to prepare properly for international cricket.
While NZC had not made a complete about-face, it had extended Ryder an opportunity to force his way back into the squad through the New Zealand A tour, selector Bruce Edgar said.
''Obviously his performance on the park and how he fits into the team environment will be the aspects that we will be closely monitoring,'' Edgar said.
''There are no guarantees. It is all up to him, just as it is for all the others in the team who are desperate to make that World Cup squad.''
Before Ryder's selection, Edgar said the senior members of the Blacks Caps discussed the issue and were in favour of ''giving Jesse an opportunity on the A tour''.
Ryder, for his part, wanted to set the record straight.
''I'll do what I need to do to show I'm still keen to be part of it,'' he told The New Zealand Herald.
''It's been a bit of a circus in the last few weeks. I know there's a lot of eyes on me but that's part and parcel of it, I guess.''
Edgar denied public pressure played a role in Ryder's promotion to the A side.
Ryder would have to abide by the same rules as everyone else and there would be no ''extra burdens'' put on him.
''We just want him to get over there and play. Everyone will be treated equally.''
Otago duo Derek de Boorder and Nathan McCullum were also named in the New Zealand A side, which means the Volts will be deprived of their services at the business end of the twenty20 tournament.
New Zealand A
The squad
Kyle Mills, Dean Brownlie, Derek de Boorder, Colin de Grandhomme, Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Jesse Ryder, Daniel Vettori
