Australia's batsmen in Test audition against Black Caps Andrew Wu Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns are in contention for a Test berth.
Australia's new-look batting stocks have been given a gilt- edged opportunity to prove their Test credentials this weekend as selectors look to finalise one of the most uncertain batting line-ups in nearly 30 years. 
The Marsh brothers, Usman Khawaja, Joe Burns, Adam Voges and the uncapped Cam Bancroft have been named in a Cricket Australia XI to take on the touring New Zealand in a two-day match in Canberra starting on Saturday.
But six does not go into four and performances in the match are likely to count for plenty when national selectors convene to name their squad for the first Test.
"Similar to the Prime Minister's XI squad, this two-day match will provide an opportunity for us to monitor a group of highly rated players ahead of the first Test at the Gabba," chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said. "Shaun, Mitch [Marsh] and Cam all are all very talented players and we're keen to see what they can produce against New Zealand."
The Black Caps' 15-man touring party was due to arrive in Australia on Tuesday night and they can strike a psychological blow in the nation's capital if they can knock over a few Test aspirants.
Not since the fallout from the rebel tours of the 1980s has there been this many places up for grabs in Australia's top six so close to the opening Test of the summer.
After the retirements of Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Chris Rogers, only captain Steve Smith and his right-hand man David Warner can be considered locks for the first Test, although the latter must prove his fitness after breaking his thumb.
Warner resumed batting in the nets this week and intends playing in the Sheffield Shield next week in the lead-up to the Tests.
The cancelled tour to Bangladesh was to have given the next generation a chance to make the transition away from the spotlight while also providing much-needed match practice in the longer form of the game.
Clouding the picture further, the opening round of the shield competition will be in the day- night format to give players a chance to adapt to the new pink ball in preparation for the historic day-night Test next month.
This weekend's game in Canberra and a four-day match against the Kiwis next week in Sydney will be the only opportunities for Australia's stars to play the red ball before the start of the Trans-Tasman series.
There will be plenty for Marsh's panel to mull over in the next fortnight.
They need to find a new opener, a first drop and a No.5.
Bancroft is considered a marginal favourite to partner Warner after a strong start to the season in the domestic one-day competition.
But he faces a challenge from Queensland opener Joe Burns, who has made back-to-back half centuries. Burns could also be in the running for a middle-order berth.
Khawaja is in the driver's seat to fill the problematic No.3 slot should Smith decide to move back to No.4.