The Black Caps coach Mark Greatbatch is hoping the benefits of a tougher match-oriented fitness regime will be revealed in the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka.
Greatbatch says the change in training regime started ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup and he cites England as an example of a side that's benefited from the approach, having won the Carribean tournament and then beaten Australia in a one day series.
Four newcomers were named in the national squad of 20 players yesterday - Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, B.J. Watling and Kane Williamson, while Scott Styris returns after missing out last year.