Otago may well be out of the running for the semifinals of the one-day competition but it still has plenty to play for, coach Mike Hesson says.
Otago takes on Central Districts at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth today in the final round of the competition.
Despite an impressive victory over Wellington on Sunday, Otago cannot get itself into the semifinals of the competition.
Otago sits on nine points, six points behind the fourth-placed Canterbury team, with a maximum of five points available from one game and cannot get into fourth place, to qualify for the semifinals.
Central Districts sits second on 17 points but could drop back to fourth with a loss, so have every incentive to win today.
But Hesson said his side would not be throwing in the towel just because the semifinals are out of reach.
"There is always plenty to pay for for when you play for Otago. We played a lot better against Wellington and the simple answer why is that we were a lot more consistent. The game against Central gives us another chance to improve," he said.
Otago had a convincing eight-wicket win over Wellington at the Basin Reserve on Sunday, with Shaun Haig and Craig Cumming combining in an unbeaten 117-run partnership.
Otago had also bowled well, dismissing Wellington for 169 in the 44th over.
"Shaun and Craig batted really well and that is what we've really lacked most of the season.
We've had a lot of guys who have got starts but have failed to go on and form big partnerships."
The pitch at Pukekura Park has been variable all season.
Central Districts belted more than 200 in the final of the twenty/20 competition but Canterbury was skittled for 77 the last time a one-day match was played on the ground last week.
Yasir Arafat has suffered a groin strain and will miss the match. He has been replaced by James McMillan.
With Arafat available only for the one-day games and the twenty/20 matches, he has finished with Otago.
Central Districts coach Dermot Reeve is on medical leave after injuring his foot and the team is being coached by former Central Districts bowler Lance Hamilton.
Central has made no changes to its team, after losing by two wickets to Northern Districts in the final over of their game in Whangarei on Saturday.
After the match today, Otago's next encounter will be a Plunket Shield game, again against Central Districts, in Invercargill, on February 25.
Otago v Central Districts
New Plymouth, 11am.
Otago: Aaron Redmond, Shaun Haig, Derek de Boorder, Craig Cumming (captain), Greg Todd, Nathan McCullum, Darren Broom, James McMillan, Warren McSkimming, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, Anthony Bullick.
Central Districts: Jamie How (captain), George Worker, Brad Patton, Mathew Sinclair, Tom Weston, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Bevan Griggs, Graham Napier, Ewen Thompson, Seth Rance, Michael Mason, Brendon Diamanti.
