Eighteen-year-old University-Grange opener Jacob Cumming replaces Hamish Rutherford at the top of the order, while North East Valley batter Thorn Parkes (21) gets an opportunity in the middle of the order.
Rutherford’s surprise Black Caps recall has provided Otago with the opportunity it was looking for to blood Cumming.
The talented left-hander has been chipping away on the fringe of the side this season.
He has scored two hundreds for Otago A this summer and is the leading scorer in the national provincial A tournament with 449 runs at an average of 64.14.
We promised we would not go there, but he is the second Cumming ... to play for Otago.
His father, Craig Cumming, is Otago’s all-time leading scorer in first-class cricket.
In 95 games, he scored 6589 runs at an average of 43.34, including an Otago record 21 hundreds. He also played 11 tests and 13 one-day internationals for the Black Caps.
Jacob is very keen to add to the family’s Otago legacy.
"Obviously, it is a pretty special occasion," he said when asked about his debut.
"It wasn’t too long ago I was here watching Dad play. To get my own chance to go out and play is really special."
Jacob spent many an hour playing mini games of cricket on the sidelines at the University Oval with younger brother Zac while Dad was fronting up for the Volts.
Otago cricket stalwart Lachie Weir provided thousands of throw-downs.
The siblings seemingly had an endless appetite for the game, and Jacob has not lost any of that hunger.
"I love batting," he said.
"It does not matter what level it is — I just love to face balls and be out in the middle.
"That is pretty much it."
His father has been a big influence on his career but former Otago Cricket Association talent, development and pathways manager Adam Miles had a big impact as well.
Parkes has also been in impressive form.
The left-hander has scored 354 runs at 50.57 for Otago A, and is North East Valley’s leading scorer in the Dunedin one-day competition with 254 runs at 42.33.
He gets his opportunity at the expense of Anaru Kitchen, who has been out of form with the bat and misses out on selection.
Originally from Gisborne, Parkes has previously been a part of Northern Districts A player pathway and has relished his time in the Otago set-up.
“It has been awesome getting amongst the Volts set-up and connecting with a great bunch of guys,” Parkes said.
“I have loved my time in Otago, and the opportunity to represent the region will be something to remember”.
Volts coach Dion Ebrahim said what impressed him about both young men was their temperament.
"Both of them have a very sound technique which will help them because good technique and temperament is something you look for straight away," Ebrahim said.
They will need a cool head. Otago got thumped by 200 runs by Central Districts in its last outing.
That was a one-dayer in Dunedin on Sunday and fast bowler Michael Rae picked up a groin injury during the match.
The Volts’ most recent first-class game also resulted in a big loss. Northern Districts posted a win by an innings and 74 runs at Molyneux Park in November.
Otago squad
For Plunket Shield
Cumming, Mitch Renwick, Dale Phillips, Nick Kelly, Thorn Parkes, Michael Rippon, Max Chu, Travis Muller, Angus McKenzie, Jake Gibson, Jacob Duffy, Jarrod McKay.
