Left-hander Henry Nicholls will make his Test debut for New Zealand while allrounder Corey Anderson returns from injury against Australia in Wellington on Friday.
Captain Brendon McCullum says they have settled on their XI for the first Test of the two-match series, starting at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Friday.
Nicholls, 24, has played 10 one-day internationals this summer and looked at home on the international scene with Ross Taylor's injury (side strain) has opened the Test door for him.
McCullum predicted a bright future for Nicholls a the top level, as a player who put the team first.
"He's such an unflappable guy," McCullum said.
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"He's come into the environment and he's scored some important runs already in some clutch moments for us as well."
It means there is no spot for Neil Wagner as Mark Craig is named as the spinner despite the Basin offering a green first-day wicket.
"It's incredibly tough on Wags because he has done such a great job for us," McCullum said.
"But obviously losing (Mitch) Santner to injury the balance of the team, we have to go in with a spinner. We've got to pick a team for five days."
Anderson also returns from injury, having played his last Test against England in May last year, to be the fourth seam option.
Likely starting XI: Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, BJ Watling (wk), Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.
