Adrian Seconi

Otago opener Hamish Rutherford has just improved his odds of making his test debut in Dunedin next week.

Otago and New Zealand XI strike bowler Neil Wagner received support from an unlikely source following a determined bowling effort against England yesterday.

Otago all-rounder Jimmy Neesham had a hell of a morning, but England rallied in the afternoon to reach 357 for seven in its four-day match with the New Zealand XI in Queenstown.

It would be too easy to relax over the next four days. Just collapse into a heap on the embankment at the Queenstown Events Centre and soak in the atmosphere.

Otago all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has put the Volts' top order on notice and has vowed to work on his consistency with the ball.

Bunker down - the Barmy Army and the English cricket team have arrived in New Zealand. Many will be expecting the test series, at least, to be a one-sided affair. But the English pack a punch in the abbreviated forms of the game as well, and the Black Caps can expect a torrid couple of months. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi assesses the tourists.

Andre Adams once took five wickets in a one-day international in Queenstown with memorably bad bowling.

This time last year, Hamish Rutherford was still making his way in the Otago team.

When the Warriors run out at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight for their final pre-season match against the Brisbane Broncos, it will be a first.

Who said first-class cricket is boring? The tournament concludes today and two teams are still in the hunt for the Plunket Shield - Otago and Central Districts.

Never let it be said the Warriors do not have a wide fan base.

Quick quiz. Who is the only member of the Otago camp to know what it is like to win the Plunket Shield?

The Black Caps are looking for a test opener or two and they could do a lot worse than Aaron Redmond.

Don't believe what you have read - Malcolm Jones has actually scored more runs for Otago than anyone else.

Former Tall Black Brendon Polyblank will wear an Otago Nuggets singlet this season.