The Volts have lost all five first-class games this season and will go into the match against Central Districts in Napier tomorrow with a rejigged top order.
Out of form batsman Shawn Hicks and equally out of touch middle order dasher Josh Finnie swap places on the conveyor belt.
Neither have been anywhere near their best this summer. But the latter returns to the team while the former joins the discard pile.
Hicks was one of Otago's better performed batsmen last season but has struggled, particularly against the short ball.
He has played in all five games, so he has had plenty of opportunity to work through his technical issues. But he just has not been able to generate the volume of runs required from a No 4 batsman.
His replacement hardly mounts a compelling case for inclusion, though. Finnie has played just one innings of note - a dogged 72 against Central Districts before Christmas. But with just 120 runs at an average of 15, he clearly still has a lot to prove.
It is a move which may raise a few eyebrows among seasoned observers. Veteran opener Brad Wilson would have seemed the obvious player to bring in to add some much needed experience and starch to the batting line-up, particularly with experienced middle order batsman Anaru Kitchen unavailable due to family commitments.
Wilson was not in great touch earlier in the summer and he is retiring at the end of the season. But he would have been a good stop-gap for an Otago team which surely must be desperate to reverse its fortunes.
Three of its five heavy defeats have been by an innings. It is tough times and those times have also led to a reimagining of the mix.
The Volts have been very keen to see what back-up keeper Max Chu can offer, so he gets his first opportunity.
Regular gloveman Mitch Renwick keeps his spot in the side but will play as a specialist batsman. He has scored 207 runs at an average of 20.70 this season, which is not much of a resume.
One change which will strengthen the Otago line-up is the return of all-rounder Nathan Smith. He was rested for the last game and dined out with a six-wicket bag and an undefeated knock of 82 for Carisbrook-Dunedin in the club competition. He replaces Christi Viljoen in the 12.
Former international spinner Mark Craig was not considered fit enough for selection. He played his 100th game for Albion in the weekend but is still nursing a back complaint which has kept him sidelined for most of the season.
