With just one score over 30 in six India innings, time has run out for Martin Guptill in the New Zealand test side.

Time has finally run out for Martin Guptill in New Zealand's test cricket team, with Jeet Raval and Todd Astle both poised for callups to face Pakistan next week.

Guptill's axing despite a final day knock of 128 not out for Auckland against Wellington is expected to be the main talking point of Thursday's 13-man squad announcement, for the first test in Christchurch.

His Auckland team-mate Raval is set to be named as Tom Latham's opening partner, while Mitchell Santner's injury opened the door for Canterbury legspinner Astle to shove his way in, for a second test appearance nearly four years after his debut in Sri Lanka.

KERRY MARSHALL/PHOTOSPORT Opener Jeet Raval is expected to benefit from Martin Guptill's axing in the New Zealand test side.

The writing was on the wall for Guptill on return from India where he topped 30 once in six test innings to continue a poor year against quality bowling attacks. Against Australia, South Africa and India he averaged 19.6 and his career figure of 29.4 from 47 tests stands out like a beacon.

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Coach and chief selector Mike Hesson hinted at change on return from India when he said Guptill's position was up for discussion. "When the side goes well you have to make a lot less harder decisions. When you do struggle decisions need to be made at times," Hesson said then.

DANIEL TOBIN/FAIRFAX NZ Strong domestic form and batting ability saw Todd Astle make a compelling case for a New Zealand test recall.

Lack of runs from the top-six was an issue in India and continues to hamper the test side who have dropped to seventh on the world rankings, with Pakistan sitting second ahead of Thursday's two-test series opener.

Raval was next cab off the rank in Africa when he sat out all four tests then was not required for the India tour despite a prolific end to last summer. He hasn't exactly bashed the selection door down this season, but it looks time for a change.

In six Plunket Shield innings the left-handed Raval averages 40.7, and scored 84 and 19 for Auckland in their draw with Wellington. Guptill scored 56 and 128 not out on a flat one at Eden Park, but it appears the selectors' minds were already made up after his struggles against decent pace attacks.

Wellington opener Luke Woodcock is the form opener of recent weeks but his late New Zealand A callup to face Pakistan on Friday is understood to be as injury/illness cover.

Astle looks to have leapfrogged the inconsistent Ish Sodhi and in-form veteran Jeetan Patel in the spin queue after No 1 Santner suffered a broken wrist last week and Mark Craig continues to be sidelined with a side strain.

Outstanding domestic form saw Astle make a compelling case, having not played a test since Colombo in November 2012: a New Zealand victory.

In the last two domestic seasons he snared 91 first-class wickets and this season has 14 Plunket Shield victims at 18. With the bat he also made a strong contribution which would have swung the selectors to replace Santner's ability with the bat at No 8.

A knock of 195 in Canterbury's opening match was followed by 53 against Central Districts at the test venue Hagley Oval where he also spun the hosts to victory.

The pitch is expected to be more pace-friendly for the test and means a solitary spinner is likely.

Canterbury's Henry Nicholls appears to have snared the No 5 spot despite some thin returns. His gritty 76 against Dale Steyn and company at Centurion in August still carries some weight while his 98 against CD in Christchurch sealed his spot.

Few middle order batsmen put a compelling case for inclusion in recent domestic cricket, with one of New Zealand's best batsmen against Indian spin Luke Ronchi potentially sneaking into the squad as batting and wicketkeeping cover.

Jimmy Neesham will lock down the No 6 allrounder spot with Corey Anderson still not back to full bowling loads, while the pace attack picks itself.

Fresh off a seven-wicket haul for Northern Districts in Hamilton, Tim Southee will join Trent Boult and Neil Wagner, while Matt Henry should make the squad ahead of Doug Bracewell but might miss the final 11.

AT A GLANCE

Likely New Zealand test squad: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Jimmy Neesham, BJ Watling, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Luke Ronchi.