Stead appears the front-runner for the provincial team's leadership given the retirement of Lee Germon and Darrin Murray, and the absence of New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming for much of the domestic season.

Also in the side is Craig Cumming who, like Stead, has captained Canterbury in the past. Selection panel convener Brian McKechnie said a decision on the Shell series leader will be made this month.

Stead probably has the inside running as the more experienced player. It is expecting a lot of Cumming, in the early stages of a promising first-class career, to be handed the leadership.

Three New Zealand players, Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan, and Geoff Allott are using the game as match practice for their next tour to an ICC international knock-out cup event in Bangladesh this month. Also included is all-rounder Hamish Barton who has shifted south from Auckland.

McKechnie said a squad of about 20 players would be used from which to pick trial teams in the coming month.

Squad: Gary Stead (captain), Craig Cumming, Brad Doody, Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan, Robbie Frew, Hamish Barton, Ben Yock, Geoff Allott, Shane Bond, Michael Owens, Carl Anderson.

Canterbury's pre-season games: Oct 4, v CD, Hagley Oval. Oct 10-11, v Otago, Mandeville, North Canty. Oct 18, Cricket Max trial, Hagley Oval. Oct 26, v Auckland, Ashburton. Nov 1, v Otago (Max), Timaru. Dec 21-22, v Wellington, Hagley Oval.