The long-serving scorer has been keeping count since 1986. He has seen some remarkable players in that time and believes the current crop of players is on par with the 1987-88 team which won both the one-day and first-class titles.
The Vaughn Johnson-coached team is on the cusp of creating history. Otago dominated the twenty/20 tournament, winning 10 consecutive games to claim the title. And with one round remaining, Otago can still win the Plunket Shield.
Regardless of how the final round pans out, Otago has had a golden summer. In that spirit, the Otago Daily Times asked Jones to name a combined team.
The team features the father-son combination of Hamish Rutherford and Ken Rutherford but there is only one McCullum. Brendon McCullum has not played for Otago this summer and was ruled ineligible. Brendon's father, opening batsman Stu, was overlooked, but Brendon's older brother, Nathan, claims the all-rounder's spot.
The two Neils - Wagner and Mallender - spearhead the bowling, with Ian Butler providing support and Bruce Blair getting through the odd over when needed.
Left-arm spinner Stephen Boock is the province's all-time leading wicket-taker and his inclusion was never in doubt. He took 399 first-class wickets for Otago.
Hamish Rutherford and Aaron Redmond open the batting. Blair comes in at first drop, with Ken Rutherford batting at No 4 and Neil Broom at No 5. Collectively, Blair (7), Rutherford (14) and Broom (12) have scored 33 centuries for Otago.
Warren Lees was Otago's most successful captain. He claims the wicketkeeping duties ahead of Derek de Boorder and is the obvious choice for skipper.
Derek Walker is named 12th man and is the only member of the side who has not played international cricket. There was an even split with the 1987-88 team providing six of the 12 but the 2012-13 team had one more player in the starting XI.
Otago cricket
Combined 1987-88 and 2012-13 team
Hamish Rutherford, Aaron Redmond, Bruce Blair, Ken Rutherford, Neil Broom, Warren Lees, Nathan McCullum, Neil Mallender, Ian Butler, Neil Wagner, Stephen Boock, Derek Walker (12th man).
