Volts coach Rob Walter has named, what on paper anyway, is his strongest side for the Plunket Shield match against Central Districts at McLean Park tomorrow.
There are seven past or present internationals in the 12, six of whom have played test cricket.
It is a team which oozes talent but the question is whether the players can deliver the sort of performance you would expect from athletes of their calibre.
Some of the team's leading players have underperformed this summer. But Walter has kept faith in the group despite the team limping into last place in both the twenty20 and one-day tournaments.
His loyalty is perhaps more of an ultimatum than a vote of confidence, though. The players he has selected are supposed to be the best, now he needs them to play like they are the best.
Of course, he did not put it quite like that.
''We wanted to name our most experienced and best team to take the first game,'' Walter said.
''Certainly, for us, there is a hell of a lot to play for and that has been signalled in the team we have selected for Napier. Hopefully, we can start delivering.''
The Plunket Shield is resuming following a three-month break. The Volts find themselves very close to the bottom of the standings with one win from five games.
Otago has lost its past four consecutive first-class games and, after a lean run during the limited-overs campaigns, the team could do with a few wins to patch an otherwise disappointing period.
''If you look at the team on paper it looks a good side but it is about delivering. The Stags are second on the log and have been playing good cricket the whole season, so we will really have to play some quality cricket if we want to beat them.''
Shawn Hicks, arguably the form batsman in the side, may end up carrying the drinks. Hicks smashed a rapid century for his club team in the weekend but could make way for Anaru Kitchen, while all-rounder Jimmy Neesham offers more with the ball.
Brad Wilson did not feature much during the white-ball campaigns but he will take his spot at the top of the order alongside Hamish Rutherford, while Rob Nicol and Neil Broom are likely to bat at No3 and No4.
In the attack, the likes of Warren Barnes, Nathan Smith and Matt Bacon have been overlooked, with test bowler Neil Wagner, Jacob Duffy and Michael Rae preferred.
Former international Mark Craig gets the spinner's spot ahead of Michael Rippon.
