He also suggests they might like to banish their memories of the last Ford Trophy game they played at the venue.
The Volts had a nice little confidence boost when they thumped Wellington in a T20 game at home on Sunday, but the stretch of home games started on Tuesday last week with a rugged 110-run one-day loss to the Firebirds.
A depleted bowling attack conceded an ugly 392 for six, including three century partnerships, but the Otago coach can see only so much point in lamenting how that game went so badly wrong.
"It was one of those games. You can have an outrageous loss, and then you can have a phenomenal win," Ebrahim said yesterday.
"We can accept that from time to time. Our preparations had been good, and even the way we conducted ourselves on the field was outstanding.
"It was just one of those games where the bowlers, by their own admission, just couldn’t execute what they were trying to do. It wasn’t about a lack of effort. It was just one of those days when we couldn’t nail it.
"It’s important we don’t dwell too much on it. It was a one-off game, and we want to bounce back quickly and get things spot on for the next game."
Perhaps more relevant is the fact the Volts beat Canterbury when the sides met in the Ford Trophy game at Hagley Oval last month.
They are also feeling good about themselves after the solid Super Smash win on Sunday.
"Regardless of what competition it is, it’s always good to take that confidence from a win, especially a win against a Wellington side who have been tracking pretty well and are a very good white-ball team.
"Winning at home is also really important. You want to hold on to as many advantages as you can, and being able to win your home games is critical."
The Volts have key bowlers Michael Rae, Matt Bacon and Michael Rippon back after all missed the heavy one-day loss to Wellington.
Otago is fifth in the Ford Trophy, five points off the third and final playoff spot, and with just four games left, there is not much margin for error.
"It’s the exciting time of the season, I think, and we want to embrace it as a group.
"This is why you train, why you play, and why you want to be a professional cricketer. It’s for times like this when you are going into must-win games to give yourself a hope of winning trophies or championships.
"It’s a must-win couple of weeks, and that opportunity is exciting.
"We’ve done the plans and preparation, and hopefully we can get a bit of momentum."
Canterbury has a two-point lead at the top of the table.
It is understrength without its Black Caps — as Otago must do without Jacob Duffy and Glenn Phillips — but still has a solid XI built around the attacking batting threats of Chad Bowes, Cole McConchie and Ken McClure, fresh off an unbeaten ton.
"It’s a game where anything could happen, so we’re not focusing too much on individual players in their team," Ebrahim said.
"We believe if we can execute in our conditions, we’ll be a tough team to beat."
Meanwhile, the Central Stags snatched back the Ford Trophy lead yesterday, beating Northern Districts by six wickets after a double-century opening stand between Ben Smith (145) and Brad Schmulian (93) made light work of a run chase of 275 at Seddon Park.
Stags paceman Brett Randell took five for 39 against his former team to become the competition’s leading wicket taker on 16.
- Otago began the revived New Zealand under-17 boys tournament at Lincoln with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Canterbury yesterday.
Opening bowler Mason Clarke took five for 24 as the home side was dismissed for 169 in the 41st over.
Otago batters Mason Gain and Nick Brown then each scored 71 as Otago romped to victory in the 30th over.
Ford Trophy
University Oval, 11am
Otago Volts: Hamish Rutherford (captain), Max Chu (vice-captain), Dean Foxcroft, Dale Phillips, Thorn Parkes, Josh Finnie, Llew Johnson, Michael Rippon, Jake Gibson, Matt Bacon, Ben Lockrose, Michael Rae.
Canterbury: Cole McConchie (captain), Chad Bowes, Leo Carter, Blake Coburn, Cam Fletcher, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Ken McClure, Angus McKenzie, Ed Nuttall, Will
O’Rourke, Theo van Woerkom.
