The upcoming tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa is as much about player development as it is about winning for the Black Caps coach Mike Hesson.
The New Zealand cricket coach Mike Hesson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Black Caps left for South Africa on Thursday and will play three one day matches and a Twenty20 against Zimbabwe, and three ODIs and two T20s against South Africa.
Kane Williamson will captain the side, while Brendon McCullum, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Corey Anderson are staying home.
Mitchell Santner has also been ruled out of the tour after fracturing his thumb in training earlier in the week.
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said he has high expectations ahead of the two series.
"The key thing for us is we've got a lot of young players we're introducing. A couple of years ago we did the same, Corey Anderson, James Neesham and Mitchell McClenaghan that was their first tour."
"There's guys like George Worker and Ben Wheeler who are trying to make their way into international cricket too so if we look in four years time which is the next World Cup, this is the perfect opportunity to start that " Hesson said.
The first ODI against Zimbabwe gets underway next Sunday.