The Davis Cup broom has swept, and four players yet to play at that level have been selected in the five-man squad to meet India in Invercargill next month.
New captain Bruce Derlin yesterday named newcomers Simon Rea, 21, Daniel King-Turner, 19, and Matt Prentice, 23, to join MarkNielsen, 26, in the four-man team.
Another newcomer, Adam Thompson, 21, is the fifth non-playing member.
Missing are recent cup players Alistair Hunt, James Shortall, Dan Willman and Robbie Cheyne.
G. D. Jones, now in the United States, was considered but not named.
"G. D. is still very much in the frame, as is William Ward, but I have decided to go with the others at this stage," said Derlin, who replaces Glenn Wilson as non-playing captain.
Derlin sees Nielsen as one singles player but has an open mind on the second spot and the doubles pairing.
"Mark played well against Dominik Hrbaty, especially given the level he has been playing at recently."
The team members, apart from Rea who will return to the US before flying to Invercargill on the Monday before the February 6 to 8 tie, will all play in the Canterbury and Wellington championships.
Prentice, formerly from Wellington, has been at Oklahoma State University for the past five years. He has completed a degree in international business and played No 1 for his team on the tough college circuit.
"I have a lot of work to do on and off the court," said Prentice, who had his first taste of ATP action when he and King-Turner lost to Rea and Nielsen in the first round of the Heineken Open doubles on Monday.
"Playing Davis Cup would be a fantastic experience," said Prentice, who impressed many with his big-serving game.
"My serve has always been one of my strengths. Now I have to try and build a more aggressive all-round game."
Derlin is keen to build a sound team environment in his new-look squad.
"I want to travel with these guys and build a good atmosphere. The big nations are doing it, so why can't we as a small nation?"
