Played at the Oturehua Domain in the heart of the Maniototo, the trophy is named after an Otago cricket stalwart who now maintains the grounds at Oturehua. McKnight played for Central Otago and Otago and is a life member and patron of both associations.
Fixtures between the teams were annual events in the '80s and '90s, preceding the first-class season, and the idea was resurrected four years ago by Malcolm Jones, the chairman of Otago Country Cricket, and Andy McLean, then president of the Dunedin Cricket Association.
Jones said McKnight humbly agreed to give his name to the trophy.
Both sides have fielded high-profile players over the years, including internationals Ken Rutherford and Warren Lees in the Metro side and Shayne O'Connor in the Country side.
Most of the players who had come up from Dunedin had played first-class cricket, Jones said, and some of New Zealand's top umpires had officiated in the games, including Steve Dunne, the first New Zealand umpire to stand in 100 one-day internationals.
McKnight's son Ken also took part in matches.
This year, the squads are looking as strong as ever. Fringe Otago player Brendan Domigan, from Alexandra, will lead a Country side which has not won the trophy in two years.
Other players of note are prolific run-scorers Jarred Andrew and Fraser Wilson, from Queenstown. Both have both featured for Country in the Dunedin club competition this season. Andrew hit 56 last weekend against Taieri.
Naseby's James Pyle and Cameron Rutherford from Alexandra are others to keep an eye on in the batting order, while for Metro, former Country player Ollie Newton will line up in the bowling ranks.
