The Otago Sparks have played just one list A game since Christmas.
It is hardly ideal leading into the business end of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.
But coach Craig Cumming said the defending champions had trained well ahead of their back-to-back matches against Auckland in Dunedin this weekend.
White Ferns trio Suzie Bates, Hayley Jensen and Eden Carson are on T20 World Cup duty, and English duo Linsey Smith and Kirstie Gordon have departed.
But the Sparks are actually fielding the same 12 which dispatched Central Districts by 37 runs in Nelson last month.
Cumming described that match as one of the team’s best performances this season.
A quick recap — Bella James scored a maiden century and combined in a huge 180-run stand with Kate Ebrahim (81) at the top of the order. Sophie Oldershaw (three for 45) and Caitlin Blakely (four for 45) picked up seven wickets between them to help clinch the win.
"We’ve only played once [this year], but that was probably one of our best games of cricket.
"I actually think that game was a springboard to helping us perform in the Super Smash," Cumming said.
The Sparks were knocked out in the Super Smash elimination final, but had a decent campaign.
Last season they dispatched Wellington in the final of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield to claim the trophy.
But this summer there have been a few hiccups.
The Sparks lost their opening game of the season against Northern Districts and suffered another loss to Wellington. There were a couple rained off games in between which has left the Sparks’ season teetering a little.
With four round-robin matches remaining, the Sparks are in fourth place with 12 points.
Wellington (21 points) leads the standings from Canterbury (18 points). Northern Districts (12 points) is on the same points as Otago but claims third spot courtesy of having more bonus points.
Central Districts (11 points) and Auckland (six points) trail the field but there are still a maximum of 20 competition points available to them.
Cumming prefers not to discuss the competition standings. But with no elimination final in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, Otago will need to finish in the top two to have an opportunity to defend its crown in the final in Queenstown on March 4.
"I think a lot of our players are suited to one-day cricket, and I think you learn a lot more about yourself and your game and you’ve got a bit more time."
The crash bang gives way to finesse, and players like Kate Ebrahim have flourished with the extra time you have to build and innings.
She is the leading scorer in the competition with 337 runs at an average of 112.33.
James’ knock of 101 in her last list A outing has seen her climb into the top five, while Blakely has been the big surprise with the ball with 10 wickets at 15.50.
Auckland will benefit from the return of top order batter Anna Browning and wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze, who were rested for the previous match against the Wellington Blaze.
Left arm pace bowler Breearne Illing also returns from a lengthy injury layoff.
Hallyburton Johnstone Shield
Dunedin, 10.30am
Otago: Bella James, Kate Ebrahim, Polly Inglis, Caitlin Blakely, Felicity Leydon-Davis, Olivia Gain, Saffron Wilson, Emma Black, Sophie Oldershaw, Gemma Adams, Molly Loe, Chloe Deerness.
Auckland: Bella Armstrong, Skye Bowden, Anna Browning, Prue Catton (captain), Izzy Gaze, Amie Hucker, Holly Huddleston, Breearne Illing, Kate Irwin, Amberly Parr, Katie Perkins, Josie Penfold, Saachi Shahri.
