For a chunk of yesterday the Otago Volts were not certain whether they would get to play today’s crucial Ford Trophy game against Wellington at the Basin Reserve.
The state of emergency in Auckland has caused widespread travel delays and the Volts were struggling to get a flight to the capital.
The Volts ended up having to cut short a practice session and make a mad dash for the airport, coach Dion Ebrahim said.
"It has been a pretty manic day.
"Our flight got cancelled so we then had a practice session at Uni Oval. But midway through the practice we got notified we were on the next flight out to Wellington via Auckland."
It was not ideal preparation before what is an important game for the Volts.
Otago is in must-win territory. It slipped back to fourth with 16 points following the disappointing loss to Northern Districts in Hamilton last week.
Central Districts has set the pace and leads the standings with 24 points from Northern Districts (22 points) and Canterbury (21 points), while Wellington’s (14 points) prospects are teetering and Auckland (12 points) cannot make the top-three playoffs.
Otago’s chances rest on the results of other games.
"When you’ve been in the game a while, you know there is no such thing as an ideal build-up. There is always a twist of a turn."
The Volts’ line-up features a new face in Hunter Kindley and Thorn Parkes is poised to make his List A debut.
Pace bowler Jarrod McKay has also been selected in the 12.
The list of unavailable players has climbed to six.
Jacob Duffy, Michael Rippon and Glenn Phillips are in India with the Black Caps, while batter Llew Johnson (shoulder), left-arm quick Andrew Hazeldine (hamstring) and Taieri batter Nick Kwant (quadricep) are all out with injury.
Johnson could have played at a pinch, but Ebrahim said they were mindful of not overloading him.
The absences have forced the Volts to call up McKay and elevate Kindley, while the uncontracted Parkes has played for the Volts this season in the Plunket Shield and Super Smash.
Ebrahim said Kindley had made his way through the age-group and Otago A programme and has impressed with every step up.
"It is a great opportunity for him to come in, and for us to get an understanding of where his game and skill sets are."
Kindley, who is the leading scorer for Otago A this season, was instrumental in Otago’s success at the national under-19 tournament in 2016-17.
He smashed 306 runs at an average of 51 during the campaign and shaded the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen and Katene Clarke to lead the scorer at the tournament. And he top scored in the final with 44 to help Otago edge Auckland.
McKay has not played for the Volts since early last mouth, but he has been training well and offers more pace than the trio of Michael Rae, Travis Muller and Matt Bacon.
"He has just come off the back of an outstanding Hawke Cup performance over the weekend, so he’s in good shape."
McKay almost bowled Nelson to success against Canterbury Country in a Hawke Cup challenge game in Rangiora. He nabbed five for 63 but the home team held on for the draw and retained the trophy.
The Ford Trophy game between Auckland and Canterbury at Eden Park Outer Oval scheduled for today has been rescheduled and will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch tomorrow.
Ford Trophy
The teams
Otago: Hamish Rutherford (captain), Max Chu, Dean Foxcroft, Dale Phillips, Thorn Parkes, Jake Gibson, Ben Lockrose, Travis Muller, Michael Rae, Matt Bacon, Jarrod McKay, Hunter Kindley.
Wellington: Luke Georgeson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Nick Kelly, Troy Johnson (captain), Nathan Smith, Logan van Beek, Adam Milne, Ollie Newton, Peter Younghusband, Michael Snedden, Jakob Bhula.
Wellington, 11am
Standings
Central Districts 24
Northern Districts 22
Canterbury 21
Otago 16
Wellington 14
Auckland 12
