Two steps forward, one step back. Otago has named a squad of 13 for its return twenty20 fixture with Northern Districts in Hamilton tomorrow night.
Opener Neil Broom has joined the Black Caps in Sri Lanka. His spot is being filled by spinner Nick Beard and left-arm seamer Bradley Scott.
Beard has been sidelined with a hamstring complaint and Scott has been nursing a niggly Achilles.
Spinner Mark Craig is also under an injury cloud. He is struggling with an ankle concern but got through training yesterday.
Broom has been in good form for Otago and, in his absence, either Aaron Redmond, Sam Wells or perhaps Iain Robertson will have to open the batting alongside Jesse Ryder.
Redmond is the most qualified but Wells opened during the Volts warm-up campaign for the Champions League. Robertson is a long shot.
Otago team to play
Northern Districts: Sam Wells, Jesse Ryder, Aaron Redmond, Ryan ten Doeschate, Michael Bracewell, Derek de Boorder (captain), Iain Robertson, Mark Craig, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, James McMillan, Jacob Duffy, Bradley Scott.
