The 21-year-old all-rounder is an integral member of the squad but has been missing in the line-up since pulling up lame during the match against Northern Districts in Alexandra on December 29.
He strained his hip flexor and could not complete his last over. But Volts coach Rob Walter remains hopeful he will be fit for what shapes as an important game for Otago.
"We’ll do an evaluation [tomorrow] and that will give us a better idea," Walter said.
"At this stage he is still doing his rehab, which is different from bowling and fielding.
"We are hoping he is pretty close but it is impossible to say before he runs in and bowls."
Smith is a key cog in the bowling line-up. He bowls during the power play and at the death. And his variations were missed during the five-wicket loss to Central Districts at McLean Park on Thursday night.
But the ramifications of his unavailability impact on more than just the bowling unit.
Otago’s bowling stocks are not flush. Travis Muller and Matt Bacon are the only real replacement options in Smith’s absence.
Muller is a qualifying player, so if he plays, as he has in the last two games, then Otago needs to leave out one of its other two qualifying players in Michael Rippon and Dean Foxcroft.
Foxcroft has been the one to miss out. His absences weakens the top order and he is a useful off spinner as well.
He adds a nice balance to the side. The 21-year-old South African-born right-hander is not troubled by pressure, either.
Last season he played a starring role for Central Districts in the twenty20 final. He top scored with 63 to help his side claim the title.
Otago’s top order has been functioning rather well, so they have made do without Foxcroft.
But Smith’s absence has been felt more acutely. He is Otago’s leading wicket-taker in the format this season and part of the leadership group.
"He has shown he has some really good skill at the death and he has also taken wickets in the power play," Walter said.
"The guys who have stepped in have done well but it goes without saying he is a big contributor."
Otago got hammered in the dying stages of its match with Central Districts. Kieran Noema-Barnett, Josh Clarkson and Willem Ludick all went on hitting sprees.
Smith’s contribution was definitely missed. But there were other areas of the game where Otago fell short.
The Volts did not finish their innings particularly well. They were 10 to 15 runs short of a more competitive total. And the missed run out opportunity of Noema-Barnett before he got going proved costly.
The dismissals of Anaru Kitchen and Nick Kelly also halted Otago’s charge.
"I thought that was probably our worst game of the campaign," Walter said.
"But to take the game into the 19th over was actually a good sign for us as a team right now.
"I’m pretty chuffed that we can play an average game and still compete to that degree."
- Last night the Wellington Firebirds scored 188 for four to beat the Northern Knights by 52 runs at the Basin Reserve.
Earlier, in the women’s game, the Wellington Blaze scored 183 for four to beat Northern Spirit by 57 runs at the same venue.
