The Black Caps opening bowler Tim Southee won't play in the first cricket test of the summer against the West Indies in Wellington, as he awaits the birth of his first child with partner Brya.
That leaves coach Mike Hesson tossing up whether to go for the pace of Lockie Ferguson or the seam of Matt Henry to partner Trent Boult with the new ball.
Ferguson hasn't played a test match but has played seven one day internationals and a T20 match for New Zealand.
Tim Southee and his partner Brya are awaiting the birth of their first child. Photo: Photosport
He's been in good form recently taking three wickets against the Windies in their tour opener against New Zealand A last week and 19 wickets in three domestic matches for Auckland.
Hesson said he had been equally impressed by Henry.
"Matt Henry did well in the last test match he played against South Africa and Lockie is probably bowling as well as he ever has so it certainly provides us with some nice options.
"It just depends what we want to go with - whether we want to go with extra pace (in Ferguson) or whether we think its going to nip around about and we want someone with Matt's control."
Hesson said they'll decide on their playing squad tomorrow with the test starting on Friday.
The Black Caps play only four tests this summer.
Two against the Windies in Wellington and Hamilton and then against England at the end of March in Auckland and Christchurch.
-RNZ
