Otago finally gave its fans something to smile at with its stunning victory over Auckland in the one-day final last season.
The title was 20 years in the making but it was worth the wait. The day will long be remembered for Brendon McCullum's incredible 170. It was arguably the greatest one-day innings seen in New Zealand, but it was fitting captain Craig Cumming hit the winning runs.
Cumming's arrival in Dunedin during the summer of 2000/01 helped sparked a resurgence in the province, and he and coach Mike Hesson orchestrated Otago's transformation from underachiever to champion.
Former coach and New Zealand cricket great Glenn Turner also played his part. He was instrumental in luring Cumming to Otago, and he signed Aaron Redmond and Greg Todd. While some of the groundwork had been done, Hesson brought fresh ideas and helped stem the migration of players.
During the '90s the association was like a warehouse for the cast-offs and journeymen, and if a player did well they tended to move away from the region.
But Hesson has developed a culture where players no longer bolt the moment another opportunity becomes available. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Players are lining up to play their cricket in Otago. Brendon McCullum returned last season after a stint with Canterbury.
Former Black Caps pace bowler Ian Butler has transferred from Northern Districts and hopes the move will rejuvenate his international career.
English all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas has signed with Otago for the one-day and twenty/20 tournaments. His presence will give the side a boost and no doubt help attract better crowds.
South African-born left-arm swing bowler Neil Wagner is the other new addition. He arrives in Dunedin with an impressive resume. In the South African domestic first-class competition he has taken 89 wickets at an average of a little over 18.
The only note in the deficit column is the loss of left-arm seamer Bradley Scott. He has been one of Otago's most consistent performers but has moved to Hamilton, effectively switching places with Butler.
While there have been some changes, Otago has a core of established players who have been together for three or four seasons.
The Volts have become one of the few success stories in the region. They have achieved the turnaround partly through smart recruiting, no doubt. But the Otago association has also been judicious in nurturing local talent.
One criticism often levelled at Otago, unfairly, is that it has imported success. Actually, it has been local players such as Warren McSkimming, Scott and Nathan McCullum who have made some of the biggest contributions.
Otago has been one of the most consistent one-day sides during the past three seasons, having made two finals and a semifinal, and will start the tournament as favourite.
How it copes with that pressure will be interesting. It is one thing to claw your way to the top, it is another to remain there.
Whatever happens, with Hesson and Cumming at the helm, you can expect plenty of innovation. Hesson is an astute, analytic coach and Cumming is an experienced captain who marshalled his troops superbly last season.
Both have hinted at changes to the way they do things, especially in the four-day tournament, where Otago has struggled to convert good batting performances into outright wins in the past couple of seasons.
