Veteran Otago player Matthew Watts has picked some bad years to skip the Bates Shield.
The 28-year-old did not play in the annual battle with Southland last year.
Otago won 4-0 to claim the trophy for the first time since 2020. Before that their last victory was in 2009.
So Watts, who has been in the side since "2012 or 2011", has never held the Bates Shield. Neither has his brother Black Sox catcher Cameron Watts.
But they have both been named in the Otago team which will travel south to Invercargill tomorrow in the hope of defending the coveted prize.
Matthew Watts said the side had not had "a whole lot" of time together leading into the fixture this season.
"But most of the guys have played with each other for a long time," he said.
"I’ve never held the Bates Shield and I don’t think any of my brothers have held the Bates Shield either."
That might change this weekend.
"The side is looking pretty good. It is still early season, so there is still a bit of rust and that.
"But the expectation is to go down there and win it."
Player-coach Mitchell Finnie is a key player in the side. He bats in the top of the order and is a reliable hitter.
Cameron Watts has the gloves and sets the tone in the field. He is also an important hitter.
Veteran James Mathieson was part of the team which won the Jefferies Cup in 2021, ending a 28-year drought. He is another key figure in the side.
Bates Shield
Invercargill, tomorrow
Otago Whatukura: Alister Conway, Mitchell Finnie, Ben Foster, Nathan Hill, Arana Kelly, Dennis Kristel, Caleb Leddie, James Mathieson, Hemi Tokona, Ash Watson, Cameron Watts, Matthew Watts.
