The presence of two English players, who will also act as coaches, should strengthen cricket in North Otago in the 2008-09 season.
James Cutt, a top-order batsman and off-spinner, will return to play for the Union club while Simon Butler will reside at and play for St Kevins College, North Otago Cricket Association spokesman Peter Cameron said.
"Simon has a history degree from Cardiff University and has played cricket for the university as well. In 2003-04, he played in the Sydney club competition and he toured South Africa with the MCC Universities team in 2008.
"He played for the MCC against the West Indies in 2007 and Sri Lanka in 2008."
Oamaru will also host a twenty/20 match between Otago and Auckland on February 10 with the game starting at 5pm.
North Otago will begin its Hawke Cup elimination matches on December 6-7 against Southland in Invercargill.
It will then play home matches against Invercargill and Central Otago on January 17-18 and January 31-February 1, with its last game against Central Otago in Alexandra on February 7-8.
The club season will begin on October 4 and, on that day and the following Saturday, three rounds of twenty/20 cricket will be played.
The results of these matches will enable clubs to carry half-points into the Dick Hunt Holiday competition.
Borton Cup cricket will begin on October 18 with North Otago hosting the under-17 tournament over Labour weekend.
The Whitestone Contracting Stadium block, which has been under scrutiny for the past couple of seasons, has been tested by New Zealand Cricket and given the seal of approval, Cameron said.
"We have to play a trial game prior to Christmas to make sure it's good enough but I can't see it being an issue at this stage."
