First-class cricket, which consists of two full rounds, will start in New Zealand on November 7, although the first match will not be played in the South until November 20 when Otago plays Northern Districts at the University Oval.
Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes said he was reasonably happy with the schedule and it was good to get some twenty/20 games in Central Otago over the holiday period.
Black Caps are expected to be available for all the twenty/20 competition.
The one-day competition of eight roundswill start in late November and take a break over Christmas.
The lucrative twenty/20 competition will consist of two full rounds and will start on December 18, with the final scheduled for January 22.
"These are the real money-makers for us and with a game in Dunedin a week before Christmas and then games in Alexandra and Queenstown over that Christmas-New Year period we would hope for some bumper crowds," Dykes said.
University Oval will host four Plunket Shield (first-class) games, two one-day matches, and three twenty/20 encounters.
There are 21 twenty/20 games to be televised but Dykes said he was again frustrated that only Otago's home games at the University Oval would be on television.
"There is no question that we get the rough end of the stick when it comes to that. It frustrates me as we are trying to profile the team, the game and the sponsors. But to do a draw to suit everyone must be a nightmare, and Alexandra and Queenstown would not be easy places to get camera crews to."
Dykes confirmed the association had decided not to allocate a game to Oamaru.
The ground was up to the standard required but he said with so many options to play cricket in the South unfortunately a ground had to miss out.
"It is far from ideal but it is the reality we have to face these days. These are particularly tough times financially and the more games our guys play at home the better."
The redeveloped ground at Queens Park in Invercargill would host two one-day games while Queenstown would host a one-day game, a twenty/20 match and a Plunket Shield game.
Molyneux Park in Alex-andra would host just the one twenty/20 match.
Brendon McCullum will captain Otago in the twenty/20 competition. He has also signed for the Brisbane Heat in the Australian twenty/20 competition, with both competitions played at roughly the same time.
Dykes said McCullum would be available to play for both sides, flitting across the Tasman.
"He will be flying over in between games. I don't see a problem in it. It will be an advantage in twenty/20 cricket. You are playing consistently and staying in form, and playing against good quality opposition." Dykes said the contact with the Australian side may lead to Otago setting up a reciprocal arrangement for players and coaching staff with the Heat.
Otago has yet to decide on an overseas player, if anyone, for the twenty/20 competition.
