Zimbabwe asks for extra game

New Zealand's minor association cricketers are likely to face a rare international match this summer.

Zimbabwe, which is scheduled to play New Zealand in a one-off test match in Wellington starting on Boxing Day, has asked for an extra warm-up game.

It was originally scheduled to play Canterbury from December 21-23 as its only warm-up game. But it is now likely to play a Minor Associations' XI in Blenheim from December 17-19.

The Zimbabweans arrive from Australia on December 15.

It is not the first time the Minor Associations' have played international touring sides but will be an another opportunity for the national selectors to assess their talent base in a meaningful environment.

Blenheim is a preferred option because of the consistent weather it has around that time of year.