Wells was a surprise addition to the Black Caps squad for the test against Zimbabwe and is unavailable for Otago's one-day game against Central District in Invercargill tomorrow.
Darren Broom has played in just one HRV Cup game for the province this season but got the nod ahead of dashing left-hander Hamish Rutherford.
"Darren has scored runs at important times for Otago," Volts coach Vaughn Johnson said.
"I want guys to step up and get big scores and he has done that in the past.
"But he is still in contention and certainly knocking at the door and putting pressure on the top order."
Johnson resisted the temptation to give Southland Boys' High School pupil Jacob Duffy (17) another run after he netted three wickets in a successful debut last week.
"I think it is really important to manage how we look after Jacob. He is currently playing in the under-18 tournament and is doing his job up there.
"We might bring him into the squad for the second one-dayer down in Invercargill. But just because he succeeded in the last game does not mean we will play him in every game. He still has to earn his place."
Another who is "not that far away" is experienced campaigner Warren McSkimming. He has been sidelined with a knee injury but is bowling well for Otago's second XI in a four-day game against a Tasmanian side at the University Oval No 2 ground.
"He will certainly come back into the reckoning for the four-day games," Johnson said.
Central Districts has placed wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver on standby should regular gloveman Kruger van Wyk be required for the test against Zimbabwe.
Former Otago batsman Greg Todd will make his first one-day appearance of the season and Dean Robinson makes his one-day debut after strong performances at the National Provincial A tournament in Lincoln.
Opener Peter Ingram is recovering from a heel injury and is unavailable for the next two rounds.
Otago is in second place with 13 points from five games. Auckland is in pole position with 15 points with Canterbury (13 points) and Central Districts (11 points) within striking distance.
Wellington and Northern Districts are both on six points and have some ground to make up in the remaining three round-robin games.
The top four sides will qualify for the play-offs which begin on February 5.
Otago v CD
Invercargill, tomorrow
Otago: Aaron Redmond (captain), Neil Broom, Michael Bracewell, Craig Cumming, Darren Broom, Nathan McCullum, Jimmy Neesham, Derek de Boorder, Ian Butler, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, James McMillan.
Central Districts: Jamie How (captain), Carl Cachopa, Dane Cleaver or Kruger van Wyk, Michael Mason, Adam Milne, Tarun Nethula, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Jacob Oram, Dean Robinson, Mathew Sinclair, Bevan Small, Greg Todd.
