Otago needs to start getting into winning mode if it wants to be in the reckoning when the Ford Trophy is handed out at the end of the month.
The side has yet to win a game in the one-day competition after three rounds and it does not get any easier today when Wellington journeys to Invercargill.
On paper, the Wellington side looks powerful with the likes of Jesse Ryder, Grant Elliot and James Franklin in the ranks.
But it has just one win from three games, although it was unlucky to lose its last game against Auckland, conceding a six off the last ball to end up the loser.
Wellington sits one position above last-placed Otago, so both sides will be desperate for victory in Invercargill.
The Otago team has had plenty of personnel changes in the past couple of weeks as players move from one game to the other when called up for national duties.
Ian Butler is the latest Otago player to find himself leaving one camp for another, with a call-up to the test squad. Butler is replaced by the returning Jimmy Neesham, while Neil Broom comes in for his younger brother, Darren.
Otago coach Vaughn Johnson said Butler fully deserved his call-up but he admitted he would be lying if all the comings and goings of players were not a disruption.
''We haven't got enormous depth in our side and when you look at our squad we have got four guys out. It is good for our national guys but it makes the job pretty tough,'' Johnson said.
''But that is what the guys play for, to go to the next level.''
Johnson said the wicket was fine at Queen's Park, although it may slow up a little in the second innings today.
Four of the six first-class sides qualify for the finals so Otago is not out of the running. Each team plays eight games.
Some rain was forecast for Invercargill today so the weather may play a big part in the game.
The sides had met in the opening round of the competition last week when Otago put together a mammoth 349 in its 50 overs but could not defend it, losing thanks to a big Michael Papps century.
