Coach Vaughn Johnson wants the other young players to back him up in Otago's last three Plunket Shield matches of the season.
"We have six players under the age of 26," Johnson said.
"We have some talented young players who will be good first-class cricketers and hopefully international cricketers.
"They must want to play for New Zealand and not just for Otago. It looks good for the province on the first-class scene."
Johnson was pleased by the successful return to first-class cricket by Hamish Rutherford (22) after a gap of 30 months.
"He was given his opportunity and he took it," Johnson said.
"The test will be to see if he can continue that form against Auckland."
Johnson is pleased by the way the younger members of the team are stepping up to the first-class arena.
"We played some good cricket against ND [Northern Districts] and but for four runs we would have won the game," he said.
He was pleased with the improved plan the batsmen had put in place from the previous game.
The coach was also pleased by the way ND had been bowled out in the second innings.
Johnson knows Otago does not have any chance of winning the Plunket Shield this season.
"But is important for the young players to put their cards on the table to show the selectors what they have got to offer," he said.
"There are still 12 days of cricket left this season and a lot to play for. The good and exciting thing is that the last two games are at home at the University Oval."
The remaining games against Canterbury (March 18-21) and Wellington (March 26-29) will be played in Dunedin.
Johnson said the players would be out to achieve individual goals in the final three games.
"If the players succeed in doing that the team will do well. There is still a lot to play for."
It was raining at Auckland yesterday and the team was not able to practise at the match venue at Colin Maiden Park.
The 12th man will be named this morning.
The return of Michael Bates, Dean Bartlett and Colin de Grandhomme will strengthen the Auckland team.
Bates and de Grandhomme were on national duty and missed the last game when Auckland lost to Central Districts.
That loss has put pressure on Auckland to lift its game to beat Otago and keep its Plunket Shield hopes alive.
