Thank God for Friday - Tipene Friday that is.
The 23-year-old right-arm medium-pace bowler will relocate to Dunedin and join the Otago squad.
A former junior Tall Black, Friday played for Auckland last season and has previously played for his home province Wellington. But he has struggled for opportunities, with just four first-class appearances since making his debut in November, 2010.
Friday should get more game time in the South, given the Volts' bowling stocks have thinned.
Experienced seamer Ian Butler was lost to retirement this week. Promising left-armer Blair Soper had surgery on his shoulder earlier this month and will be sidelined for at least six months. And with veteran speedster James McMillan's contribution expected to be restricted to limited-overs fixtures, the Volts are on a recruitment drive.
Friday will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Jimmy Neesham. The Black Caps all-rounder was battling with Colin de Grandhomme and Colin Munro for game time in Auckland, so shifted south and his career has blossomed.
Otago assistant coach Nathan King said Friday's main weapon was the bounce he was able to generate with his 1.95m frame.
''Tipene will be a great addition,'' King said.
''Tipene is a fantastic natural athlete and the bounce he extracts from his bowling will add great variety to our bowling stocks.
''[He] has struggled for playing opportunities in the past few seasons, but with Otago cricket's history of bringing players down and having them flourish, we believe, at the age of 23, he has a bright future ahead.''
In a press release, Friday said ''I am really excited to be joining the Otago Volts' family for this up and coming season''.
''It is a great opportunity and I am looking forward to making the move down south.''
Friday's other claim to fame is he dated Shortland Street star Frankie Adams. The couple broke up last month when Friday transferred to the United Kingdom to join Finchampstead Cricket Club in Berkshire.
