New Zealand coach Gary Stead is in a quandary as he mulls over the selection of a spinner for the first Test against Sri Lanka, with only one likely to be picked.
Stead and his team returned on Sunday to New Zealand after wrapping up a rare away series victory against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. They will move rapidly into preparations for the first Test against Sri Lanka from Saturday in Wellington.
Unlike the UAE's spin-friendly conditions, the Basin Reserve is much more conducive to going in with a three-pronged pace attack, with Neil Wagner joining Trent Boult and Tim Southee with just a solitary spinner.
The Black Caps used two slow bowlers in all three Tests in the Emirates. Left-armer Ajaz Patel and offspinner Will Somerville on debut were instrumental in the first and third Test victories.
Legspinner Ish Sodhi also appeared in two matches.
With Mitch Santner and Todd Astle both injured but likely to return this summer, Stead said the selection of a slow bowler would be difficult.
"We'll have to pick one - it's hard and that's a really good place to be in," Stead told reporters at Auckland Airport. "You look at the likes of Mitch Santner and Todd Astle who are both out as well, and then we've had three spinners on this tour with Ish, Ajaz and Will.
"It's a good place to be in, it's not easy, but there will be one that's selected."
Stead said he would name his squad on Monday for the first of the two matches. If New Zealand win 2-0, they can jump to No.2 in the world Test rankings.
The former top-order batsman, however, said rankings would not be motivation for the side.
"I don't think there will be any need for motivation," Stead said. "It's the start of our home summer and we want to do well at home and do well for our fans.
"We have a very good Test record at home that we'll want to maintain and grow."
