The Black Caps will get a timely boost with the return of a refreshed Trent Boult for the fifth and final one day cricket international against Sri Lanka in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.
Boult was rested for the first four games and his return is timely with fellow pace bowler Tim Southee out with a foot injury.
Also set to miss the game is skipper Brendon McCullum who's still recovering from a back injury.
After playing five tests on the trot Boult was rested for the first four matches of the series.
"It was nice to get home and enjoy the Christmas break...but did manage to get a couple of bowls in here (Mt Maunganui) and I'm itching to go. It's a big opportunity to press home a convincing series win in my opinion and the guys have been playing well so I'm looking forward to getting back out there," he said.
Trent Boult is back to bolster the Black Caps. Photo: Photosport
New Zealand lead the series 2-1, after game four was washed out so the best Sri Lanka can achieve is a series draw.
Boult suffered a back problem while playing in the three test series in Australia but says he's recovered.
"I'm pretty happy with where I am at the moment. Australia was a good test as conditions were probably up there with some of the hardest I have had to bowl in, so it was a bit of learnign curve but I feel like I have come out the other end and I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks."
After Tuesday's game the Black Caps have two Twenty-20 matches, the first of which is in Mt Maunganui on Thursday followed by the second at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday.
Meanwhile the Canterbury off-spinner Frances Mackay has helped HER side to a one day win over Northern Districts, claiming four wickets in five balls including a hatrick.
Mackay took four for 35 taking claiming all four wickets with her last five balls as Canterbury dismissed Northern for 205 and then reached their target for the loss of six wickets.
