If Ward finds traction with veteran Mathew Sinclair at No4 then it'll be a humdinger.
No5 Casey Rangi has a groin strain but has turned up to trainings, suggesting NOBM will employ him as a bolshy batsman.
Ward, who has claimed five wickets to date with his right-arm seam, belonged to Brendon Bracewell's academy for two years before NOBM enticed him back.
The 21-year-old hails from Cheshire and is a member of Macclesfield CC who exported several players to Bracewell's academy.
Having had a taste of Durham 2nd XI last northern summer, he hopes to break into the side on returning home and secure a starting berth.
He has the backing of parents Malcolm and Jane Ward to find "progression in my game".
For NTOB allrounder Christian Leopard it's a no-brainer to ascend to an elite level.
"It'll be pretty cool to play somewhere different against unknown premier club teams outside of Hawke's Bay," Leopard says.
The 17-year-old, who is on track to become an electrical apprentice with Panpac after leaving Napier Boys' High School at Year 12 this year, doesn't mince words about NTOB's pedigree.
"We're a very strong Tech side so it'll be interesting to see how well we'll do."
Opening bowler Liam Rukuwai is not playing due to bereavement after the death of his mother, Leeanne, last Saturday.
Josh Paerau also isn't available due to work commitments.
Leopard is likely to shine the new ball in Rukuwai's absence. He has accumulated 21 wickets in the Property Brokers limited-overs competition.
The teenager took a break from cricket last summer to channel his energy into middle-distance and cross-country running.
"I've stopped running now to take cricket more seriously," says Leopard who was in the Bay U17 team competing in the annual Central Districts tournament at Nelson Park this week.
The demands of running and the isolation from a team environment got to him eventually. He played three games for the Bay Under-17s, carving up 24 not out against Wanganui in Monday's nine-wicket victory, 51 runs on Tuesday in the five-wicket win over Nelson and 29 in Thursday's 10-run loss to Manawatu.
For Leopard who has come through myriad age groups since he was 12, batting at No4 is ideal.
The ball loses its sheen and it also is an opportune time for him to come in if early wickets tumble to enable him to bat for time.
While Leopard's excelling with the ball, batting remains his priority.
"Batting is more satisfying as I enjoy being on the crease. It's one against 11 others on the field," he says, making up for lost time from last season.
Bay U17 coach Dale Smidt says Leopard has a great future in cricket. "Christian's the best young talent in Hawke's Bay since Jesse Ryder."
Smidt says the teenager also is a "brilliant fielder".
-NOBM: Llorne Howell (c), Jesse Singh, Jack Ward, Mathew Sinclair, Casey Rangi, Harry Ghodke, Damien Scott, Daniel Drepaul (wkt), Brendan Quinn, Anoop Reuka-Prajad, Adam Pearse.
-NTOB: Jayden Lennox, Matt Edmonson (wkt), Bronson Meehan, Indika Senarathne, Stevie Smidt, George Diack (c), Christian Leopard, Jeremy Kuru, Jimmy Denby, Corey Hamilton, JK Whyte.