Stead described the home ODI series against Sri Lanka as being "about tweaking, looking at the style of play and how we want to play and looking at the options who fit those roles as well. It's definitely a trial period still". Both sides have made a number of changes from their Test line-up, with Sri Lanka bringing in six new faces including Lasith Malinga, while New Zealand have brought back big-hitting Martin Guptill and are resting regulars Tom Latham and Colin de Grandhomme.
With de Grandhomme out and Corey Anderson injured, Jimmy Neesham and Doug Bracewell have been recalled as all-rounder options. At the World Cup in England and Wales, 300-plus totals are expected to be the norm and Stead wanted "to see more of the all-rounders" as well as back up wicketkeeper Tim Seifert. It's been a year since Guptill last played for New Zealand and four years since he lit up the last World Cup when he blasted an unbeaten 237 off 163 balls against the West Indies.