Opener Tom Latham will lead New Zealand in the second Test against England while skipper Kane Williamson rests an elbow injury.
Williamson, ranked the No 1 Test batsman in the world, has been managing the injury since first missing matches in March - and scored just 14 runs in last week's drawn first Test at Lord's.
The tourists hope their captain will be fit enough to play against India in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final, which is due to take place in front of Sky Sports cameras at the Ageas Bowl from Friday, July 18.
Will Young will replace Williamson at No 3 against England and seamer Trent Boult will return to the side after arriving midway through the first Test, but spinner Mitchell Santner will miss the game in Birmingham with a finger injury.
On Williamson, Latham told reporters: "He is a fantastic captain. His personality and calm nature out in the middle has been vital for this group. He is very relaxed, doesn't get too high or too low, and is a wonderful leader. He will certainly be missed
"I'm sure he'll be back [for the World Test Championship final]. From our point of view, it's a precautionary thing. We'd love him to be available for this game but obviously we've got the eye on the final in a week's time.
"For Kane, it's about giving himself the best opportunity to be fully fit and available for that game. The decision was made for him to rest and get that right for what we have coming up."
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Williamson's replacement Young has scored 48 runs in his two Tests innings to date - both against West Indies - and enjoyed recent success in English conditions, scoring 278 runs for Durham, including two centuries, in seven innings.
Latham said of Young: "He's been here a few weeks earlier [than the rest of the squad] and was playing cricket. He is coming off runs for Durham, which is always nice when you get selected.
"It's another exciting opportunity for Will to put his hand up and try to put that performance on the board."
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead had said before the first Test that it was unlikely Boult would figure against England and instead return for the World Test Championship Final against India in Southampton.
However, the left-armer - who has taken 281 wickets in 71 Tests - should now play at Edgbaston, with Latham looking forward to calling on the 31-year-old's experience.
Latham added of Boult: "It's great to have someone of his calibre come back in, a massive boost.
"The way he can swing the ball but his leadership as well. He has been in this part of the world before and knows how to perform."
Latham also said that New Zealand's full focus this week is on trying to secure a first Test series win in England since 1999 and not on their clash with India at The Ageas Bowl.
"Beating England is higher on our priority list [than the WTC final]," he said. "We've got such a great opportunity to come here, try to play our brand of cricket and put on a performance that we're proud of.
"Yes, there is an eye to the final in a week's time, but our focus is solely on this game and the next five days. To win away from home is not an easy thing around the world nowadays.
"If we can put the performance on the board that we know we're capable off, fingers crossed that will give us a good chance to be successful after the five days."
Watch live coverage of the second Test between England and New Zealand live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am.