Hamilton's Jaden Hatwell has been dropped and Bruce Martin and Ian Butler added to the Northern Districts team for two one-day cricket matches against England later this week.
The tourists, due to arrive in the country today, are coming off a drawn six-match one-day series with India.
After playing for weeks on
low, slow wickets, England can expect a hard, flat track at WestpacTrust Park in Hamilton so the Knights can pepper them with speed and bounce from Ian Butler, Joseph Yovich and Daryl Tuffey.
Butler played just two Shield games for the Knights this season, with figures of one for 43 and none for 56 in 15 overs.
"We're very keen to give him a run," Northern Districts chairman of selectors Pat Malcon said. "Especially in light of what Richard Hadlee said the other day about New Zealand needing genuine pace bowlers.
"Butler, Yovich and Tuffey are as quick as anyone else, with Butler considered by many to be the quickest in the country after Shane Bond.
"He hasn't played much of this type of cricket but there's only one way for him to get the experience he needs."
Hatwell was dropped after scoring just 56 runs in seven one-day innings, with a best of 22.
"He struggled a little but we still consider him a prospect of the future," Malcon said.
Hatwell will instead play in Hamilton's Hawke Cup defence against Hawke's Bay.
Thirteen players have been named in the team for games on Friday and Sunday, with Martin and batsman Grant Robinson the likely omissions.
Martin hasn't played for the Knights since sustaining cracked ribs from a Bond delivery in the four-day match against Canterbury in Gisborne in December.
He is likely to make his return for round five of the four-day State championship, against Wellington in Hamilton from next Tuesday.
The team for that game will be drawn from the current 13, with spinner Daniel Vettori and allrounder Scott Styris expected to be retained for the national team.
Northern Districts to play England in Hamilton on Friday and Sunday: Graeme Aldridge, Grant Bradburn, Ian Butler, Simon Doull, Matthew Hart, Robert Hart (captain), Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Bruce Martin, Michael Parlane, Grant Robinson, Daryl Tuffey, Joseph Yovich (two to be omitted).
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
