New Zealand coach Gary Stead has had little time in charge of the side but his focus will be firmly on this year's World Cup in England and Wales when their one-day series against Sri Lanka begins on Thursday.
Stead took over last year as coach from Mike Hesson, who surprisingly quit less than 12 months out from the May 30-July 14 World Cup.
The 46-year-old has selected a mostly settled squad for the three-match series starting at Mt. Maunganui, with three or four players vying to force their way into World Cup contention.
With Colin de Grandhomme rested and Mitchell Santner still working his way back from knee surgery, all-rounders Jimmy Neesham and Doug Bracewell have both been recalled after more than a year out of the side.
Attack-minded wicketkeeper Tim Seifert will also make his one-day debut.
"It's really now looking ahead to the World Cup, being clear on the game plans we want to use and making sure the roles we want to get people in that we're playing to those roles as well," Stead said.
"We're still looking at some places within our team. We want to see more of the all-rounders, we're looking at Tim Seifert as a back-up keeping option as well.
"It's definitely a trial period still."
The first two games will be played at Mt. Maunganui before the sides move to Nelson for the final match on January 8.
Sri Lanka's tour ends with a Twenty20 game in Auckland on January 11.
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