The recent Black Caps opener has taken over the leadership from the retired Mark Greatbatch.

Another feature of the Central side is the return of promising pace bowler Andrew Penn, who played for New Zealand at one-day level in the latter stages of 1996-97, but was sidelined for most of last season with injury.

Two newcomers are Peter Ingram and Peter McGlashan, members of the New Zealand Youth team last season.

The 14-man squad will play Canterbury on Sunday, the New Zealand Academy on Monday and Tuesday in a two-day match, and a then a one-day game on Thursday.

The team is: Craig Spearman (captain), Mark Douglas, Glenn Milnes, Mathew Sinclair, Jacob Oram, Peter Ingram, Michael Mason, Glenn Sulzberger, Campbell Furlong, Martyn Sigley, David Blake, Andrew Penn, Peter McGlashan, Matthew Walker.

The Canterbury team is likely to be finalised today after the availability of the team's New Zealand representatives has been canvassed.

``One or two of them might need as run and we will try to work around that,'' said selection panel convener Brian McKechnie.

McKechnie said no final decision had been made on a skipper for the season in place of the retired Lee Germon.

However, he agreed the most likely contenders for Shell series captaincy are still Gary Stead or Craig Cumming.