A number of left-handed Plunket Shield batsmen, including potential bolter Tom Latham, are candidates to open in the first test against England at Dunedin from March 6.
Right-hander Peter Fulton remains favourite to partner incumbent Martin Guptill with captain Brendon McCullum suggesting he'll move to No5. However, competition remains fierce with the final round of four-day cricket starting Wednesday. As Guptill is a right-hander, a left-hander might help disrupt the lines bowled by a potent English pace attack.
Finding another opener is based on the presumption the middle order becomes Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, McCullum and Dean Brownlie. BJ Watling is likely to retain the gloves and bat at No7, despite increased pressure from Wellington's Luke Ronchi.
As well as Fulton, the Herald on Sunday understands the left-handed quartet of Northern Districts' Daniel Flynn, Otago's Hamish Rutherford, Canterbury's Latham and Central Districts' Jeet Raval (a long shot) are under consideration. The four-day warm-up match in Queenstown starting February 27 will effectively be a trial for whoever is selected.
If Latham is picked, it would be a major punt by coach Mike Hesson and his selection observers. He averages 31.58 with a top score of 81 in the Plunket Shield this season. His average in 24 first-class matches is 34.05. That does not make a compelling case but Latham, still more than a month shy of his 21st birthday, has a reputation for dedication and diligence.