Andrew Strauss is on the verge of a test cricket recall for England, while Peter Fulton's hopes of retaining his No 3 role for New Zealand appear to hinge on a drastic form reversal against the tourists.
Strauss has been named in what amounts to a shadow testside to play a three-day match against a New Zealand Invitation XI at University Oval starting today.
Discarded before the tour of Sri Lanka last November, Strauss has sought to get back into form with Northern Districts in domestic competitions.
And although he has scored just 179 State Shield one-day runs for them at an average of 35.60, the 43-test veteran has been earmarked for the unfamiliar position of No 3 to enable captain Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook to continue a successful opening partnership.
Strauss made four as an opener against an Otago Selection on Monday, while his main rival for a test place, Owais Shah, made 96 at No 4.
"I feel quite strongly there's no reason why I can't continue playing the way I played towards the start of my career," said Strauss, 30, who averages 40.79 in test cricket.
"The last 12 months was one of those times cricketers have and most bounce back, so there's no reason in my mind why I can't go on and have a good series. I have an opportunity to show some form and put my name in the starting lineup."
While Strauss is on track for a recall, Fulton is probably playing for his international future after enduring a horrid time against the tourists.
Ordained as the test first drop once he returned from minor knee surgery in January, Fulton did not reach double figures in six innings against England and was dropped from the one-day side for the final game.
He made a 16-ball duck for the Otago Selection before scoring 33 in the second innings.
