Monday 20 October 2014 13:37, UK
All-rounder Jimmy Neesham will open for New Zealand in their opening one-day international with South Africa at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval, which starts on Monday night, UK time.
The exciting Neesham has been promoted from the middle-order to open with Martin Guptill as coach Mike Hesson looks for a replacement for Jesse Ryder, who remains out of favour.
"He will get an opportunity at the top of the order," captain Brendon McCullum said. "He's an exciting player and it's not an easy role, especially against a team like South Africa with their quick bowling options.
If we look forward four to six months to the World Cup, for us to win it we need to go in with momentum.
"Until you put people in those positions you're not 100 per cent sure how they're going to respond.
"For me it's about how he goes about constructing his innings. If we can get that destructive kind of player at the top, playing with some freedom, then that goes a long way to assisting us with the rest of our line-up."
Ross Taylor (calf), Kane Williamson (wrist) and pace bowler Tim Southee (shoulder) have been ruled out of the game, which is the first international match at the Bay Oval.
Hesson has already said that with Williamson's off-spin bowling under review by International Cricket Council, he wanted one of his top five to be able to bowl a few overs during each match in the global showpiece as well.
Neesham's ability to bowl handy medium pace could help settle any selection quandaries as they look to settle the mix of their World Cup squad.
Ryder has not been considered for New Zealand since he was disciplined for a heavy drinking session the night before a Test match against India in February.
The 30-year-old had a successful county season with Essex and there had been talk in New Zealand that he would be recalled but he remains out in the cold.
McCullum added that batsman Dean Brownlie, who impressed on a New Zealand 'A' tour in England earlier this year, would bat in Williamson's number three spot on Tuesday.
McCullum said the clash against South Africa should be a good marker for how they need to progress towards the World Cup.
"If we look forward four to six months to the World Cup, for us to win it we need to go in with momentum," McCullum said.
"We've got to play some good cricket going in, and we've got to build some depth in case we are struck down with injuries or loss of form."
South Africa have made just one change to the squad which beat Zimbabwe, with Vernon Philander fit again after his recent hamstring problems. Wayne Parnell has been ruled out of the first match with a shoulder problem but should be fit for the second ODI at the same venue.
All-rounder Wayne Parnell has failed to recover from a shoulder injury in time to play for South Africa in the first one-day international against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.
Parnell is the only major injury concern for the Proteas, who are likely to select Vernon Philander in his place as they open their preparations for next year's World Cup.
Captain AB de Villiers says he was not unduly worried by Parnell's absence going into the three-match series against the Black Caps and has backed his country's depth.
South Africa captain AB de Villiers says there is now huge competition for places: "Any of the 15 in the squad can find a spot in the main 11," De Villiers said.
"I would even go so far as to say there are 20 to 25 guys in South Africa who can walk into this 11, that I know are good enough and that I have seen perform under pressure.
"I am very excited to see guys like Vernon Philander back, he has bowled well in the nets and bowled with a lot of skill, especially on wickets like these that we face in New Zealand."
"This is the perfect opportunity for me and the team to be creative and adapt really quickly in the first 10 to 15 overs and hopefully find some weakness in the opposition," he said.
"It's the first international game at the Bay Oval and it's always difficult when there have been no international games in the past, but I am one of those captains that really enjoys thinking in the moment, it keeps me on my toes if I can be creative with my thinking."
Watch New Zealand v South Africa live on Sky Sports 2, with coverage from 10.25pm on Monday night.
