With nine games to play before next month's Cricket World Cup, Black Caps coaching staff intend to carefully rotate play throughout the one-day series against Sri Lanka - starting today in Christchurch.
New Zealand's Mark Craig and the team celebrate the wicket of Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath during a previous match. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Black Caps play seven one-dayers against Sri Lanka and two against Pakistan before their world cup opener at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 14 February.
Black Caps assistant coach Shane Bond said they would carefully manage players over the next few weeks.
"The biggest thing from probably every team's point of view is getting everyone to February fit," he said.
"We've still got a lot of games left, so you're going to see guys coming in and out, particularly in the pace bowling ranks, to keep everybody fresh and everybody fit."
"We're sort of lucky that we've got that depth in the squad that if we lost someone to injury, we've got that covered."
Today's game at Hagley Oval started at 11am, with Sri Lanka winning the toss and deciding to bat.
Black Caps assistant coach Shane Bond has announced he will step down after the Cricket World Cup. Photo: Photosport
New Zealand's Hamish Rutherford bats during day four of the first international test cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in December. Photo: AFP
Debbie Hockley and Sir Richard Hadlee model volunteer uniforms for the Cricket World Cup. Photo: Supplied