Truth be known, Otago coach Vaughn Johnson is pretty grumpy Craig Cumming has chosen to retire at the end of the season.
Otago has had a dreadful Plunket Shield campaign with the bat and Cumming is one of the few players Johnson has been able to look to for some solidarity at the top of the order.
But with Cumming retiring, and other senior players such as Aaron Redmond and Neil Broom struggling with their form this summer, Johnson faces the challenge of rebuilding the side.
That job would be much easier if Cumming was around to help guide and nurture the next generation.
"What more can you say?" Johnson responded when asked to comment on Cumming'scontribution.
"His performances for Otago, Canterbury and for his country say it all. He is very influential on and off the park. He is a proven leader and a man I turn to at times for advice.
"He is going to be a huge loss as a friend and as a player. His family deserves his full attention and I completely understand his decision. I'm just disappointed because I'm losing a banker when it comes to his batting."
There is some batting relief for Otago with all-rounder Nathan McCullum returning for the four-dayer against Canterbury beginning at the University Oval tomorrow.
Former Black Cap Ian Butler has recovered from his side strain and has been added to the 13-strong squad. Spinner Mark Craig drops out of the squad.
"We are pleased with Mark's progress but obviously we are a bit top-heavy in terms of the spin department with Nathan coming back," Johnson said.
McCullum had some tightness in his lower back after the one-day series against South Africa and sat out the last game.
Butler rolled his arm over in the nets before the first test between South Africa and New Zealand in Dunedin last week and looked in good form.
"He looks to be running in nice and free and will come into consideration for the final XI."
Otago is in last place in the Plunket Shield with 37 points and is out of contention. Northern Districts leads with 89 points from Auckland (74), Wellington (71), Central Districts (69) and Canterbury (50).
The Otago-Canterbury game shapes as a battle for the wooden spoon.
"People remember winners - I'm not sure if they remember wooden-spooners. We certainly don't want to finish last in the competition but there is a lot of work ahead of us," Johnson said.
"We're trying a different approach in the remaining games. It is about individuals performing and about two or three getting PBs [personal bests] and putting us in a position to win the games. So individual goals have been set but also team goals in terms of making sure we finish stronger than during the middle stages of the competition.
"Also, it is about seeing Craig off the right way."
Canterbury has made one change from the side which beat Central Districts by 178 runs.
Black Caps batsman Dean Brownlie has replaced injured bowler Matt Henry in the squad.
