A BLACKCAPS-laden Northern Districts – ND - side will head to Canterbury for the first match of the 2019-20 Plunket Shield season this coming Monday.

With the majority of their international contingent available, ND will be looking to set down an early marker in New Zealand's domestic four-day competition.

The BLACKCAPS are available for selection in the absence of international cricket and, with one eye on the England tour next month, the chance to play red-ball cricket is important preparation for the Test series.

ND coach John Bracewell said that having some of the country's best cricketers at their disposal is a balancing act.

'We know that these guys care about, and like, playing for ND, so we're looking forward to having them in the group,” says John.

'More importantly than having all these players available, however, is how we manage the guys who are not playing.

'We have aligned our A programme alongside the Plunket Shield, so the rest of the squad will be playing against Auckland A on a really good surface, ensuring they maintain their match fitness.

'We think this allows us to manage this process really well.”

On the season itself, John was buoyed by a unique pre-season which saw the squad head straight to Melbourne for some one-day cricket against Victoria, before returning to prepare for the upcoming season.

'The strength of this was that it allowed us to come back, reflect on the matches and practice on what we learned,” says John.

'It was different, but I think the guys really enjoyed it and it's made practice a bit more purposeful and targeted.”

Round one of the Plunket Shield begins 10.30am, Monday, October 21 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

NORTHERN DISTRICTS PLUNKET SHIELD SQUAD – ROUND ONE V CANTERBURY

Daniel Flynn (c) - Bay of Plenty

James Baker - Hamilton

Trent Boult - Bay of Plenty

Dean Brownlie - Bay of Plenty

Scott Kuggeleijn - Hamilton

Daryl Mitchell - Hamilton

Mitchell Santner - Hamilton

Tim Seifert - Waikato Valley

Ish Sodhi - Counties Manukau

Tim Southee - Northland

Neil Wagner - Bay of Plenty

BJ Watling - Hamilton

Kane Williamson - Bay of Plenty