With Iain O'Brien hanging up his boots at McLean Park and Shane Bond's career perpetually hanging by a thread, Daniel Vettori has yet another cricketing crisis to manage - identifying the next generation of New Zealand fast bowlers.
Vettori will not only be helping Northern Districts hopefully qualify for the Champions League Twenty20 riches in India when the domestic competition begins on January 2.
The New Zealand captain and selector will also be keeping a closer eye on developing pace bowlers.
With O'Brien ending his 22-test career to shift to England and an injured Bond uncertain of his return after a match-winning cameo in the first test against Pakistan, the current first choice pace attack is in danger of trundling in on its last legs.
Chris Martin is 34, the same age as Bond though without the wear and tear, while Daryl Tuffey made his comeback against Pakistan at 31.
The quartet has done an admirable job against Pakistan's batting line-up and should not be accountable if the win in Dunedin is followed by defeats in Wellington and the Napier test, which starts today.
New Zealand's attack is collectively one of the oldest on the test circuit - and when Bond is absent their potency is reduced.
James Franklin's continuing knee problems rob Vettori of a left armer's variation - the role a teenage Mohammad Aamer fills for Pakistan.
New Zealand haven't got a bowler of Aamer's youth and raw pace at their disposal so Tim Southee, 21 years old today, shapes as the prime long-term option.
Southee was waiting to hear if his 21st would be marked with a sixth test cap, though it seemed likely the McLean Park wicket would justify a fourth seamer ahead of offspinner Jeetan Patel.
Whichever way Vettori leans at the toss, Southee can look forward to an extended run now O'Brien has pulled stumps.
"He's first in line with the way he's bowled," Vettori said.
"Tim's going to get a number of opportunities over the years and we just hope he nails it."
Southee made a stunning debut against England on McLean Park last year, snaring five for 55 in the tourists' first innings before slugging an unbeaten 77 to prolong New Zealand's failed run chase.
Unfortunately for the right armer, his bowling average has subsequently ballooned to 47.91. There have also been concerns about his lack of zip in a second or third spell despite an intensive fitness regime.
When asked if he had a succession plan in place for his ageing quicks, Vettori admitted that outside of Southee it was a work in progress.
"If you look at the team selected for the A game (against Pakistan last month) it was Tuffey, (Brent) Arnel and Southee.
"I suppose playing in the (Twenty20) competition is going to give me a real understanding of where those (other) guys are."
Vettori reckoned he might have a clearer idea in six weeks time.
"There's a group of well-proven first class cricketers who probably haven't been seen as the next step in terms of test match cricketers. Then there's a group of really young guys who can get those opportunities if they can make their name in first class cricket in the next year or two."
NZPA