Cricket: Black Cap regulars to be rested over a busy summer in all forms

Lockie Ferguson was one new face the Black Caps introduced against Australia. Photo / Getty

No player, not even captain Kane Williamson, will go without time off during this home international cricket season.

With the short, unsuccessful trip to Australia now out of the way, the next three months are a solid block of home activity, with a raft of matches against Bangladesh, Australia again for the return Chappell Hadlee Trophy, and finally South Africa.

It's inconceivable any player would be asked to play the lot, across the three forms of the game.

So while there have been new faces introduced, such as Auckland quick Lockie Ferguson, and in-and-out players recalled in different roles - Jimmy Neesham, Colin Munro and Colin de Grandhomme - there could be more in the months ahead.

''We've already see plenty (of new faces)," New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said.

''We've got to identify the right players and give them a number of opportunities. We hopefully will get some back from injuries (such as allrounder Corey Anderson and fast bowler Adam Milne).

''But it's not just a matter of chucking them in a hat and picking a few out. We've got to make sure we pick the right ones.

''Once we do we've got to give them enough opportunities, but we've got to see improvement along the way."

And Hesson dropped a hint there might be a new wicketkeeper sighted before the end of summer.

BJ Watling is ensconced as test keeper and is in situ as the ODI man. Luke Ronchi, who lost his limited-overs place after a poor run of form, might return, or there's the younger option, headed by Wellington's Tom Blundell, Canterbury's Cam Fletcher and Northern Districts' Tim Seifert, who might get a sniff of action.

''Possibly," a non-committal Hesson said of the keeping situation.

''It's something Gav (national selector Gavin Larsen) and I will talk about. There is some opportunity there."

Williamson, still inside his first year as national skipper, might fancy playing the whole way through. He loves playing and may figure that goes with the leadership territory.

But some commonsense needs to apply.

Consider this: New Zealand will play three ODIs, three T20s and two tests against Bangladesh; another three ODIs against Australia; and a full tour of a T20, five ODIs and three tests against South Africa in the major event of the season.

At some point the call will be made: sit this one out skipper. More likely he'll make the decision.

"It is something at some stage we'll have to look at," Williamson said.

''The volume of international cricket is huge and it's important players are managed well and that goes for everyone.

''Sometimes a week or two away is the thing you need to ensure you are fresh going into a home summer."

Players who arrived home from Australia yesterday are expected to play at least one Super Smash T20 for their province between now and the arrival of Bangladesh, who kick off in Christchurch on Boxing Day.

They'll also have a few days off to get over the rigours of the Australian series which was a hugely disappointing experience as the Aussies flogged them 3-0.

''We've already mapped something out," Hesson said of the time off issue. His estimation is, depending on the player, a break of between a week and nine days, is sufficient to get them freshened up.