North East Valley batsman Darren Broom has been rewarded for early season form with a place in Otago's three-day trial match at Molyneux Park in Alexandra beginning on Sunday.
With five Black Caps unavailable for Otago's opening four-day match against Northern Districts at the University Oval next month, the Volts have some big gaps to fill.
The top order has been ravaged, with four of the unavailable players capable of batting in the top six. That has left several openings for batsmen in good nick.
Broom has made back-to-back centuries for his club and a strong performance at the trial could see the former Canterbury player turn out for Otago.
Broom has been selected in the McSkimming XI alongside other hopefuls Michael Bracewell and Hamish Rutherford.
Shaun Haig, Sean Eathorne and Leighton Morgan have been named in the Cumming XI and will also be strong contenders.
Otago's bowling stocks have not been as badly depleted, but there is room for a genuine all-rounder in Nathan McCullum's absence and, with Ian Butler also away with the Black Caps, the Volts will be looking for another seam bowler.
University-Grange skipper Sam Wells has, arguably, got the inside running for the all-rounder's spot and former New Zealand under-19 left arm spinner Nick Beard is sure to get an opportunity with McCullum unavailable and part-time leg-spin bowler Aaron Redmond also on national duty.
• OTAGO VOLTS TRIALLISTS
Cumming XI
Craig Cumming, Leighton Morgan, Shaun Haig, Sean Eathorne, Sam Wells, Brendan Domigan, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, Shaun Fitzgibbon, PJ Cairns, Mathew Harvie, Simon Badger.
McSkimming XI
Hamish Rutherford, Michael Bracewell, Greg Todd, Darren Broom, Jordan Sheed, Derek de Boorder, Warren McSkimming, Anthony Bullick, Mark Joyce, James McMillan, Nick Cape, Ollie Newton, Craig Smith.
