The Black Caps may use allrounder James Franklin to open the batting in the cricket World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.
Franklin, one of the best players of spin in the side, opened in the nine-run warm-up loss to South Africa in Colombo.
Captain Ross Taylor says the left-handed Franklin was promoted up the order to take on the left-arm spin of Robin Peterson.
“Franky (Franklin) I thought batted very well and I wouldn’t rule that out for other games in the tournament,” Taylor said.
“There are a couple of spots where players will definitely bat, but more often than not we’ll be pretty flexible in our top eight.”
Franklin, who made 60 in his only other appearance as an international opener against Zimbabwe in February, scored 12 off 11 balls as the Black Caps made 8-177 in reply to South Africa’s 6-186.
Taylor led the way with a blazing 75 off just 42 balls, sharing in a 94-run stand with Rob Nicol (37) to leave the Black Caps needing 44 from 27 balls.
But Dale Steyn, who finished with figures of 4-25, struck three quick blows after Taylor fell as New Zealand came up short.
The Black Caps, with only 11 fit players, opened their bowling with spinners Ronnie Hira and Nathan McCullum.
Tim Southee and Daniel Vettori missed the match with stomach bugs, while Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram, also sat out the match with injuries.
Bowling coach Damien Wright was called upon to take to the field during South Africa’s innings.
South Africa’s total was based around 54 to captain AB de Villiers, while paceman Adam Milne, who removed both openers, had the best bowling figures for the Kiwis with 2-26.
New Zealand’s World T20 campaign begins against Bangladesh in Kandy on Friday.