Otago will not have played for a week after last Sunday's washed-out game against Canterbury and will be hoping for clear skies in Whangarei today to get a first win in the Ford Trophy.
Broom comes back into the side in place of Sean Eathorne and his experience and talent will be a real bonus, although it is likely to be a brief appearance, as he has been picked for New Zealand to play in the Chappell-Hadlee series.
Broom has missed just over two weeks of cricket because of a fractured finger picked up when playing for the Black Caps.
Otago coach Rob Walter said Broom's return was well timed on what was expected to be a dry and hard track in Whangarei.
The washed-out game was disappointing but was just a a fact of life, Walter said.
''We are probably not in a position to where we can afford to be missing games. Obviously we would have liked to have played and got some momentum going but you can't do much about the rain.'' Walter said.
''They [Northern] have had a couple of interesting results. What has been shown over the last few games is that anyone can beat anyone in this competition so on the day you have to back yourself.''
Otago is sitting bottom of the Ford Trophy with just two points from the abandoned game and needs to start winning.
''What has let us down it we haven't put all three phases of the game together. We have been in some really strong positions but we haven't been able to close it out so have to do better.''
With four sides qualifying for the playoffs - only two miss out - a team can win just three out of the eight games played and get into the top four.
''But we want push through and get a home playoff game.
''But we just need to take it one game at a time and not get ahead of ourselves.''
Although Broom is over his finger injury, the prognosis is not bright for some other injured players.
Captain Hamish Rutherford is still struggling with a back injury and his return is unknown. He has seen specialists but there is no firm date on when he will be back on the field.
Josh Finnie played club cricket in the weekend and performed well but he needed time in the middle after picking up a nasty virus.
Mark Craig was still struggling with his back and his season looks like it is over.
Bradley Scott and Sam Wells had just missed out, as other players were preferred.
Corey Anderson is back in the Northern Districts side and spinner Ish Sodhi looms as a danger man.
Otago will stay in the North Island after the clash, moving to Palmerston North to prepare for the game against Central Districts on Saturday.
The weather forecast in Whangarei today is for cloud with the chance of a few late showers.
