The New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum says they need to build some depth this summer ahead of the World Cup.
The Black Caps open their international season in Mt Maunganui today with the first of 3 one-dayers against South Africa.
Brendon McCullum - NZ Cricket Captain Photo: Photosport
It's the first time an international cricket match has been played in New Zealand in October.
The homeside has confirmed that Martin Guptill and Jimmy Neesham will open the innings, followed by Dean Brownlie, McCullum and Tom Latham.
The South Africans are set to start their full-strenght pace bowling attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander.
McCullum says this series will be very helpful as they've got to build some depth in some areas just in case they're struck down with injury or loss of form or any other circumstance which will play out leading into the World Cup.
South Africa will reclaim the number one ranking from Australia for the first time since 2009 if they sweep the series 3-nil.
The match at the country's newest international venue, Bay Oval in Tauranga, is the first of 17 one dayer the Black Caps will play ahead of next year's World Cup.
McCullum wouldn't confirm his playing eleven but says the top five in the batting lineup will be Neesham and Martin Guptill followed by Dean Brownlie in his first one dayer in two years, then himself and Tom Latham.
It'll be Neesham's 12th one dayer and he will have to contest with possibly the best fast bowling trio in world cricket of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander.
Allrounder Jimmy Neesham will open the batting for the Black Caps against South Africa tomorrow. Photo: Photosport
"I think Nee's (Neesham) got something a little bit special and obviously with Kane under a bit of a cloud with his bowling and the legitimacy of that we still need to give ourselves a bowling option in the top five hence the reason Jimmy gets a crack at the top tomorrow.
Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson and Tim Southee are all out with injury although Williamson is expected to play in the second one dayer on Friday.
Taylor will miss the three matches with a hamstring injury while Southee has a shoulder problem.
