At a glance

Plunket Shield round three, today from 10.30am:

■ Wellington Firebirds v Auckland Aces at Basin Reserve, Wellington ■ Central Stags v Canterbury at Saxton Oval, Nelson

■ Otago Volts v Northern Districts at University Oval, Dunedin. Points after two rounds: Wellington 39, Central 24, Auckland 21, Canterbury 11, Northern 10, Otago 8.

World Cup when second-highest wicket-taker behind Mitchell Starc was compelling. His gamechanging ability was obvious again in Nelson on Tuesday with his wickets of Lewis Gregory and Sam Curran in three balls effectively sealing victory.

The fact New Zealand play five tests on the bounce – two at home against England, then three against Australia in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney – means coach Gary Stead will likely rotate his pacemen as Australia did successfully in retaining the Ashes with a 2-2 series draw.

Henry should also get a chance with the new ball in at least one of the five tests if either Boult or Southee are injured or rested.

With the test batting top-six set in stone and Colin de Grandhomme established as the allrounder, the only other question is which spinner gets the nod?

Todd Astle, Will Somerville and Ajaz Patel will all play the next shield round while Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi continue in the T20 side.

Given spinners get minimal chances in pre-Christmas tests in New Zealand, the potential clincher may be batting ability at No 8 with Santner and Astle at the head of the queue there.

That would be harsh on Somerville and Patel who established themselves as the preferred spin duo in offshore tests in the 1-1 series draw with Sri Lanka.