Otago after slow bowling import

Otago has plenty of gaps to fill but has started by looking for an overseas player to bolster its slow bowling options.

The Volts will start the one-day tournament three key players behind the rest of the field.

Black Caps and Otago offspinner Mark Craig is out indefinitely with a lower back complaint that may require surgery.

Fellow international Neil Broom fractured his index finger while fielding in the opening twenty20 international against Bangladesh last week and will miss the first three weeks of the competition. When he returns to fitness, he is likely to be whisked away by the national side.

And pace bowler Warren Barnes is still fighting his way back from a dislocated shoulder and is sidelined until February. That means he will miss at least half the campaign.

With fellow pace bowler Jacob Duffy restricted to net bowling while he remodels his action, Otago is effectively missing a fourth first-choice player.

And Jacob's older brother, Ryan Duffy, is also under an injury cloud. He fractured his finger while playing in the National Provincial A tournament and may miss Otago's opening game against Wellington at the University Oval on Sunday.

There are plenty of vacancies in the line-up but the most critical shortage is in the slow bowling ranks. Otago coach Rob Walter has been looking abroad for a solution.

''It is very difficult in terms of who is available,'' Walter said.

''With the countries that are currently playing it really only leaves European countries.

''We've had a look at who might be out there and who might be an option. Now it is just about availability.''

Otago's slow bowling options include Josh Finnie and Anaru Kitchen. But they fall into the category of batsmen who can bowl a bit, while Otago-contracted legspinner Rhys Phillips has found consistency elusive.

New Zealand under-18 left-arm spinner Ben Lockrose was one of the standouts at the National Provincial A tournament. The 17-year-old Otago Boys' High School pupil is certainly on Walter's radar. However, Walter feels it is too soon to press the teenager into action at the top level.

The other players to impress at the tournament were batsmen Gregor Croudis and Sean Eathorne. They both averaged more than 40 and collected two half-centuries apiece. One of them could find themselves suiting up this Sunday.

Otago A all-rounder Geordie Scott also played a couple of valuable knocks during the tournament, while seamer Jack Hunter was economical but struggled to pick up wickets.