Trial games are usually thinly disguised practice matches with few real opportunities actually existing.
Nine out of 10 times you can pencil in the squad before the trial is played and you are unlikely to need an eraser.
Not so this time.
Otago coach Mike Hesson insists performances during the next two days will be crucial.
The Volts had a dreadful run in the HRV Cup, losing six matches, and a run of poor weather resulted in the other four games being abandoned.
Otago is keen to rebound from the winless campaign with improved results in the one-day tournament which gets under way on Sunday.
Preparation starts today with the first of two one-day trial games.
''There are a number of people that really need to stand up and grab the game by the scruff of the neck,'' the coach said.
''There are players who can force our hand by taking advantage of the trials.
And that is what we are looking for, guys that are really going to perform and say 'Look, you have to pick me'.''
No matter what happens in the trial games, it is hard to see the selection panel making wholesales changes.
The batting order looks fairly set with the likes of Aaron Redmond, Craig Cumming and Neil Broom all automatic selections.
All-rounder Nathan McCullum is likely to bat in the top six, possibly at five, with Darren Broom competing with the likes of Hamish Rutherford, Shaun Haig, Sean Eathorne and all-rounder Sam Wells for the remaining two or three batting spots.
Wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder has been in good touch and perhaps deserves an opportunity further up the order.
Paceman James McMillan bowled quite well during the twenty/20 tournament and is likely to partner new-ball bowler Neil Wagner, with Ian Butler and Warren McSkimming playing supporting roles and Nick Beard and McCullum providing the spin options.
Otago opens its one-day campaign against Wellington at Molyneux Park on Sunday.
The teams
Cumming XI: Michael Bracewell (wkt), Aaron Redmond, Sean Eathorne, Craig Cumming (captain), Sam Wells, Ian Robertson, Mark Craig, Brendan Domigan, Craig Smith, Cameron Rutherford, James McMillan, James Pyle.
McCullum XI: Hamish Rutherford, Shaun Haig, Neil Broom, Darren Broom, Nathan McCullum (captain), Ian Butler, Derek de Boorder (wkt), Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, Daniel Duke, Warren McSkimming, Craig Sneddon.
