Volts strike bowler Jacob Duffy is a late inclusion in the side to play Canterbury in Invercargill today. He was scheduled to miss the match so he could play for New Zealand A in a three-day game against Pakistan in Nelson.
But that game was abandoned without a ball bowled, so Duffy will rejoin Otago.
With Black Caps duo Neil Wagner and Jimmy Neesham in camp preparing for the first test against Pakistan, Duffy’s presence will be a welcome relief. He will bolster what was an inexperienced frontline attack of Michael Rae and Jack Hunter.
Duffy bowled well in the draw against Central Districts at the University Oval last week.
"He found a little bit of rhythm and the ball was going through nicely on a fairly docile pitch" Walter said.
"He was selected for New Zealand A for a reason and it is always good to have a guy like him back in the team."
Duffy’s return has been offset by Anaru Kitchen’s unavailability. He was ruled out late on Friday with a fractured bone in his left hand.
Kitchen missed Otago’s opening two games while on family leave but scored a century in his first innings back.
He will see a specialist today but will be sidelined for at least four weeks.
"It is one of those things. It is not great to lose a batter who is in form but it gives someone else an opportunity. Injuries are just part of the game. You have to roll with it."
That someone else is Carisbrook-Dunedin batsman Sean Eathorne. He makes the game day squad for the first time this season but may end up carrying the drinks depending on the mix Walter opts for.
Otago has had no trouble posting big scores. The team has notched up six hundreds in three matches but taking 20 wickets has proven to be a much bigger challenge.
It will need to rectify that if it is going to claw its way up the competition standings. Despite playing some fairly solid cricket during the first three rounds of the Plunket Shield, Otago finds itself in last place.
The Volts have shown signs of improvement despite their lowly position, though. And today’s match shapes as crucial.Canterbury has been forced into changes as well with Todd Astle and Henry Nicholls away on national duty.
Bowlers Ed Nuttall and Kyle Jamieson were initially not named in the Canterbury squad so they could play in the New Zealand A fixture. But with that game washed out they will likely rejoin their province.Canterbury coach Gary Stead could not be reached to confirm whether those players had rejoined the team.
Plunket Shield
Invercargill, starts today
Otago: Brad Wilson, Hamish Rutherford, Michael Bracewell, Neil Broom, Josh Finnie, Derek de Boorder, Sam Wells, Christi Viljoen, Jacob Duffy, Michael Rae, Jack Hunter, Rhys Phillips, Sean Eathorne.
Canterbury: Michael Davidson, Peter Fulton, Ken McClure, Chad Bowes, Andrew Ellis, Cam Fletcher, Cole McConchie, Logan van Beek, Tim Johnston, Henry Shipley, Will Williams, Theo van Woerkom.
