Otago has made two changes for its Plunket Shield match against Wellington in Queenstown.
Test opener Hamish Rutherford returns after having laser surgery on his eyes, while Roald Badenhorst will get an opportunity to make his first-class debut for Otago.
Badenhorst replaces all-rounder Sam Wells, who has been ruled out with a minor calf injury, while middle-order batsman Brad Rodden drops out of the 12 to make room for Rutherford.
Badenhorst has been in wonderful form with the bat for his club side, Albion. He scored consecutive centuries earlier this month and was brought into the Otago twenty20 side last year as specialist batting cover.
However, he played 11 first-class games for Centrals Districts as a bowler who could contribute down the order. Otago coach Dimitri Mascarenhas has similar plans.
''He is pretty much a genuine all-rounder. If he plays he'll bat somewhere around six, seven or eight because we've got strong batting with Derek [de Boorder] and Mark Craig. They batted at seven and eight in the last game.''
Mascarenhas said Rutherford had been striking the ball well in the nets following his eye operation.
''His surgery was a success and he is getting better day by day. He's ready to go.''
All-rounder Jimmy Neesham is still sidelined with a back injury, though. Initially Mascarenhas had thought Neesham would be out for about two weeks but it is unclear how long he will be unavailable.
''We are pretty much guided by New Zealand Cricket now with his injuries. I don't know how long he will be out for or when he'll be back.''
Wellington has made just one change, Malaesaili Tugaga replacing Luke Woodcock in the 12.
Otago had a comfortable six-wicket win against Wellington at Karori Park last week and Mascarenhas is rather pleased to be playing the same side again so soon.
The Volts are in fourth place with 47 points, well within striking distance of Auckland at the top of the table on 61 points.
Otago v Wellington
Queenstown, today
Otago: Aaron Redmond (captain), Hamish Rutherford, Michael Bracewell, Jesse Ryder, Derek de Boorder, Roald Badenhorst, Mark Craig, Neil Wagner, Craig Smith, Jacob Duffy, Michael Rae, Ryan Duffy.
Wellington: Michael Papps, Deepak Joon, Stephen Murdoch, Michael Pollard, James Franklin (captain), Alecz Day, Tom Blundell, Matt McEwan, Jeetan Patel, Andy McKay, Brent Arnel, Malaesaili Tugaga.
