Otago might be the one-day champion but there will not be any complacency going into its four-day match with Northern Districts in Invercargill today, coach Mike Hesson says.
The Volts were welcomed back to Dunedin as heroes on Monday after beating Auckland by seven wickets in the State Shield final at Eden Park Outer Oval on Sunday.
But in the State Championship, the side has some ground to make up. Auckland leads with 18pts, from Wellington with 16pts.
Otago is in the middle of the pack with 8pts and will probably need a win or two to stay in contention for a spot in the final.
‘‘I think ND are a very good side so we certainly won't be complacent in any shape or form. If we don't front up and play well, we won't get the points we need.''
The Volts have a good run with three of its four remaining matches at home but will go into this game underdone.
Northern Districts was knocked out of the one-day competition before the semifinal and has had two weeks to prepare for the match.
Its bowlers have had extra time to build up their workloads and the batsmen more time to adjust their mindset and prepare for longer stays at the crease.
But Otago has had its mind firmly fixed on securing its first major title in 20 years.
‘‘It could be [a disadvantage],'' Hesson acknowledged.
‘‘But I think we are match-hardened at the moment, which is a positive thing.''
Otago had a light training session on Tuesday and trained again in Invercargill yesterday.
But Hesson said if his side could make the ‘‘mental shift'', then a lack of preparation should not be too much of an issue.
However, it will affect the mix of the side.
‘‘We'll probably look to play another bowler rather than rely on three seamers.''
There will not be any heroics from Brendon McCullum.
The world-class wicket-keeper batsman is on duty with the national side and English professional Alex Gidman was only available for the one-day tournament.
Jordan Sheed gets his first opportunity this summer after putting the runs on the board in the provincial A tournament and enhancing his reputation with a solid 47 against England during a two-day warm-up match in Dunedin last week.
Off-spinner Will Somerville gave a good account of himself in the same match taking three wickets for 73 runs but misses out to established spin options Nathan McCullum and Aaron Redmond.
Northern Districts has introduced a new player to its batting line-up, with Cameron Merchant to make his first-class debut at No 3.
Promising pace bowler Tim Southee rejoins the squad after being named the player of the recent world under-19 tournament.
