Whether rebuilding the innings or cashing in on a good start, top and middle-order batsmen form the spine of the batting lineup and should contribute the bulk of the runs.
They are the focus of the second in our series of profiles on the greatest cricket players in Otago's history.
The series is designed to help readers name their all-time Otago XI.
Your selections should be based on the contribution and impact players had for Otago in first-class cricket.
We have selected a panel of experts to name the Best XI, which will be unveiled on December 18.
You can enter at any time between now and December 16 by emailing your Best XI, plus a 12th man, to adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz or by posting it to Best XI Competition, ODT Sports Department, P.O. Box 517, Dunedin 9054.
In alphabetical order, here are the leading contenders for the top and middle order:
BRUCE BLAIR
90 matches, 5055 runs at 33.92
A hard-hitting left-hander who was strong square of the wicket, Blair enjoyed a long and successful career for the province.
He scored seven 100s and 34 half-centuries.
Only Bert Sutcliffe and Craig Cumming have scored more runs for Otago.
Blair was also a decent medium-pacer, taking 37 wickets at an average of 34.21.
ROGER BLUNT
16 matches, 1510 runs at 52.05
The Durham-born all-rounder had a brief but successful career for Otago which is most memorable for the 338 not out he slammed against Canterbury in 1931-32.
Blunt scored four centuries and four 50s for the province and was a more than useful legspin bowler, taking 45 wickets at 31.11.
NEIL BROOM
41 matches, 2825 runs at 49.56
The right-hander has been a remarkably consistent contributor since transferring south from Canterbury in 2005-06.
He scored his first double century this summer - 203 not out against Northern Districts in Queenstown - and has scored eight 100s and 14 half-centuries.
He can be punishing once set.
KEITH CAMPBELL
61 matches, 2613 runs at 28.09
Campbell was a jack of all trades.
Occasionally he kept wickets, and he was also a handy medium-pacer.
But his best performances were in the middle of the Otago batting order.
He scored three 100s and 17 half-centuries and toured the West Indies with the New Zealand team in the early 1970s.
BEVAN CONGDON
6 matches, 531 runs at 59.00
A technically correct batsman who was capable of concentrating for long periods, Congdon scored two 100s and three half-centuries in a brief career for the province.
While his quality is undoubted, he scored 367 more runs against Otago than for Otago.
ANDREW JONES
13 matches, 771 runs at 48.18
Courageous and determined, Jones carved an impressive international career and stood out during a brief stint for Otago, averaging close to 50.
He scored one undefeated century and posted four half-centuries.
NOEL MCGREGOR90 matches, 4259 at 27.65 A sentimental favourite, McGregor had a career that spanned 22 seasons.
His return of three centuries was relatively modest, though the elegant stroke-maker would have almost certainly fared better on today's batsmen-friendly pitches.
KEN RUTHERFORD
68 matches, 5051 runs at 44.30
One of Otago's favourite sons, Rutherford was a prodigious run-maker.
While he was frustratingly inconsistent at international level, he was anything but for Otago, posting 14 100s and 18 half-centuries.
His undefeated innings of 226 against India at Carisbrook in January 1990 was one of the many highlights.
GREG TODD
45 matches, 2774 runs at 40.20
A dogged left-hander, what Todd lacked in panache he made up for with determination, and he was a good man for a crisis.
He scored four centuries but was perhaps guilty of not converting more of his 16 half-centuries into 100s.
