The Otago Volts resume in the Ford Trophy against a tough opponent, Canterbury, at the University Oval today.
Canterbury has welcomed back its players from the national side with Todd Astle, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls and Matt Henry fronting up in the 50-over fixture. However, experienced all-rounder Andrew Ellis will be absent, as his wife is expecting a baby.
Otago yesterday named an experienced squad of 13, from which two will be omitted today.
The only injury concern in the wider squad was fast bowler Warren Barnes, who has been experiencing pain in his back and is unavailable.
Otago Volts coach Rob Walter said players had been working hard.
They had an intersquad game on Tuesday and trained on Wednesday and Thursday.
The team had started the Ford Trophy well with two wins from three games and is second on the table.
Pace bowlers Jack Hunter and Jacob Duffy had bowled well in the first three trophy games so deserved to stay. Paceman Matt Bacon was an unlucky omission from the playing squad. He had played well in the twenty20 competition but not everyone could fit into the side.
With Michael Rae and Neil Wagner also in the squad, one of the four pace bowlers will probably be on the sideline.
Walter said the match would be played on the same wicket used for the one-day international two weeks ago between the Black Caps and Pakistan.
"It was a bit slowish but the Black Caps got 250-plus, so if you get to that amount you are going to get a good game of cricket. Walter said the disappointing twenty20 campaign was behind the team but it was still about doing the basics well.
"What we have taken from the twenty20 campaign is we have to be really strong in key moments of the game ... identify what those key moments are and capitalise on them."
Otago needs one of its top three to get among the runs, while all-rounder Jimmy Neesham is back in the side and looking to make an impact.
Walter said Neesham was keen to get back out on to the field.Otago’s confidence could do with a boost after the forgettable twenty20 campaign and a win today would do wonders for that.
Canterbury sits bottom of the trophy table but should be a different side with its Black Caps back. The red and blacks have trained in the city over the past few days. Facilities in Christchurch are being used for teams in the under-19 World Cup.
Otago v Canterbury
Oval, today, 11am
Otago Volts: (from) Rob Nicol (captain), Hamish Rutherford, Neil Broom, Shaun Hicks, Derek de Boorder, Jimmy Neesham, Christi Viljoen, Michael Rippon, Neil Wagner, Michael Rae, Jacob Duffy, Jack Hunter, Mark Craig.
Canterbury: (from) Cole McConchie (captain), Todd Astle, Chad Bowes, Cam Fletcher, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Johnston, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ed Nuttall, Michael Pollard, Will Williams.
