Cricket: Under-strength Black Caps facing African challenge

Martin Guptill says the Black Caps will have to step up in the absence of key players. Photo / Getty

Shorn of their captain, two best new ball bowlers and top allrounder makes New Zealand's trip to Africa a special challenge.

However opener Martin Guptill says the absence of Brendon McCullum, Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Corey Anderson - for a mix of reasons around injury recovery and rest -- won't be an excuse if things go wrong against Zimbabwe and South Africa.

"It's up to the rest of us to step up and fill the gap they leave," Guptill said.

"We've got some great young players coming in - (seamer) Ben Wheeler had a great start in England recently and now George Worker is coming on this trip. We've got every faith in those guys to step up and perform."

The bulk of the squad leave Auckland today but Guptill, along with fellow Caribbean Premier League players Ross Taylor and Nathan McCullum have been given a leave pass to arrive in a few days time.

Kane Williamson will lead New Zealand in McCullum's absence. Whoever was calling the shots would have big shoes to fill. New Zealand have been without McCullum before but it's common knowledge that the time is approaching when the little man will be gone for good.

"When he's there you've got that experience of 250-plus ODIs and obviously he leads from the front," Guptill said.

"You can see by the way he bats. He takes the game by the scruff of the neck and throws himself around (in the field). The other guys really thrive off that. He gets the best out of everyone. When he's not there it's up to the rest of the guys to pick up that slack."

No Boult or Southee opens prospects for the other seamers, Mitch McClenaghan, who had a tough time in England but a successful stint in the Indian Premier League with winners Mumbai Indians, Wheeler, Adam Milne and Doug Bracewell.

"Mitchell has a very good one-day record and we'll be looking to him to set the tone with the ball and Ben's had a great start to his international career and he's got another opportunity to show his stuff and push for further selection down the track."

New Zealand have a week-long camp in Potchefstroom before playing three ODIs and a T20 against Zimbabwe, all in Harare, followed by two T20s and three ODIs against South Africa.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, George Worker, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Doug Bracewell (South Africa only), Ish Sodhi (Zimbabwe only), Ben Wheeler, Mitch McClenaghan, Adam Milne.