Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes knew Jesse Ryder faced a potentially lengthy suspension for an anti-doping violation when he signed the powerful left-handed batsmen last month.
We will be better next time. That is essentially what Dunedin Thunder coach Janos Kaszala has promised following his side's disappointing performance in the final of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League in Dunedin on Saturday.
Otago pace bowler James McMillan scored a boundary from the last ball to help secure a two-wicket win for his side in the last of its five warm-up games against a combined New Zealand-Northern Districts team in Tauranga yesterday.
The Southern Dogs will play the man as much as the ball in their national league semifinal against Canterbury in North Harbour today.
He might be Darling by name but he is far from a darling on the ice. In fact, 18-year-old Dunedin Thunder forward Tristan Darling is more of a ''grinder''.
Black Sticks striker Hugo Inglis scored a hat trick to help Southern confirm a national league semifinal berth with a 3-2 win over Central in North Harbour yesterday.
It had to come eventually but Otago has finally lost a twenty20 match - albeit a warm-up game.
Cricketer Jesse Ryder's career flashed before his eyes when he discovered he faced a lengthy suspension over a couple of diet pills.
Otago has continued its positive form with a two-wicket win in a warm-up twenty20 match against a New Zealand and Northern Districts combined team in Tauranga yesterday.
Otago strike bowler Neil Wagner has found some midwinter form with a five-wicket bag in a warm-up twenty20 match in Tauranga yesterday.
The Southern Dogs have been beaten for the first time this season but it took a penalty shootout to bring their three-game winning-streak to a close.
Southern remains the only unbeaten side in the National Hockey League, but there is a catch.
As expected, Otago Boys' High School and Southland Boys' High School have made it through to the final of the Highlanders First XV competition.
If online sales are anything to go by, next weekend's final of the national league between the Dunedin Thunder and the Canterbury Red Devils at the Dunedin Ice Stadium should be sold out.
Southern men's coach Dave Ross is in his eighth year with the side and is still trying to paint his team as the underdog.
Otago spinners Nick Beard and Mark Craig will take their place in the Volts squad for a series of warm-up twenty20 matches in Tauranga next week.
The Southern women conceded 11 goals in their opening two games but coach Sam Brown believes his team is still on track for fifth or sixth in the national league.
It is not often you have to pack your winter woollies for a cricket trip but the Otago team may have to do just that.
The Steel has added another three players to its roster, bringing its squad up to nine.
Dunedin's University Oval will host a test between the Black Caps and the West Indies in early December, and the Queenstown Events Centre will host the tourists in an ODI on New Year's Day.
