However, Young's batting is coming under scrutiny. He averages 24.14 from 10 test innings, with three not outs and one half-century, 57 against Pakistan a year ago. But in four innings against Australia, he made just 22 runs. He was left on 11 not out in the first test at Brisbane when the team crumbled around him for 150 in the second innings. In Young's defence, the top six also failed against Australia with only three half-centuries (two to Dean Brownlie, one to Ross Taylor) across the series.
Other batting order changes could be in the offing due to Jesse Ryder's indefinite calf strain. Brownlie is likely to move to five against Zimbabwe, with Vettori deemed a reliable six. That call emphasises the need for a test wicketkeeper who can bat well at seven now Brendon McCullum has relinquished the gloves and gone to open.
Young's batting record at first-class level is outstanding, having averaged over 40 every season since 2007-08, but others are contending.
Watling has struggled in the test top order, averaging 24.50 in six matches, but his domestic first-class record for this season and last is exemplary, averaging well over 50. He would need to sharpen his glovework but is seen as an option to dispatch the old ball or see off the second (or first) new ball from No 7.
De Boorder's form has flourished since moving to Otago, having been stuck behind Young and then Gareth Hopkins at Auckland. The 26-year-old had the second best batting average (66.70) including two centuries from 14 innings in last season's Plunket Shield, beaten only by Kyle Mills' 87 from two matches.
He was second on the list of fielding dismissals too - his 29 catches and a stumping had him one catch behind Wellington's Joe Austin-Smellie. An example of De Boorder's composure is also worthy of mention with the first ball he faced against Central Districts in the HRV Cup before Christmas. The delivery happened to be the last ball of the match and De Boorder needed five to win. He duly dispatched Graham Napier over square leg for the win.
De Boorder has worked on his lateral wicketkeeping movement in recent years, notably with the former Otago and now New Zealand Cricket fitness trainer Chris Donaldson. As a two-time Olympic sprinter, Donaldson knows something about explosiveness. De Boorder has also used McCullum as a wicketkeeping mentor whenever he has been in the Otago environment.
Van Wyk is another to be considered, given his record as a middle-to-lower order batsman for Canterbury and Central Districts and his qualification to play for New Zealand last season after a four-year stand down from South Africa.
The 31-year-old was one place behind De Boorder in last season's Plunket Shield, averaging 63 from 13 innings; he has backed it up in seven knocks this season with 71.80 per innings. He has averaged over 40 for each of the last five seasons and is considered to be a sound gloveman if not quite in Young's category yet.
