Otago has been forced into a couple of changes ahead of its round three Plunket Shield match against Wellington at the Basin Reserve beginning tomorrow.
Wicketkeeper Max Chu was struck by a Neil Wagner bouncer during the 90-run loss to Northern Districts last week and has been ruled out with concussion.
Batsman Dale Phillips replaces Chu. He is fresh from cracking a century for Otago A against Canterbury A and has earned his opportunity.
Seamer Matt Bacon has also been ruled out. He was named 12th man for the last two games but joined the playing XI as a concussion replacement for Chu and, unfortunately, picked up an injury while fielding.
His spot has gone to Otago contracted player Jarrod McKay, who transferred from Central Districts this season and has played just one first-class game.
Bowler Angus McKenzie has also been added to the 13-strong squad. He has had a couple of one-day games for the province.
Mitch Renwick, who has been playing as a specialist batsman, will take the gloves in the absence of Chu.
That means coach Rob Walter is going to have to rethink who bats in the top four.
Renwick will likely drop down to the middle order, and Phillips has previously batted in the middle order when he has suited up for the Volts.
Phillips did score his century against Canterbury A at No 4, so he might be an option.
The side’s key batsman and captain, Hamish Rutherford, has batted at No 4 this season to help spread the side’s experience.
But perhaps he would be better going back to his regular spot at the top of the order.
One of the few positives to emerge from the batting efforts in the opening two games was Hawkins’ innings of 90 against a star-studded Northern Districts bowling line-up.
He was helped by the fact Black Caps left-armer Wagner only bowled five overs during Otago’s second innings.
But there were bowlers such as Tim Southee, Colin de Grandhomme, Scott Kuggeleijn and Ish Sodhi to deal with.
They have all played international cricket, so the 25-year-old right-hander can take heart from what was his best performance with the bat during his brief first-class career.
Rutherford and Hawkins have batted together nicely during the past and arguably represent Otago’s best prospect of getting off to a solid start.
Anaru Kitchen and Nick Kelly were the other batsmen to emerge from the loss to Northern Districts with merit.
Kelly was undone for 23 in his first innings but made a fighting 82 not out in his second dig to take the game a little deeper, while Kitchen counter-attacked with an aggressive knock of 63.
The winless Volts will need more of that type of form against a Wellington side which will be desperate. The defending champions have started with back-to-back losses as well.
