Otago Country will be looking to flush the memory of a heavy defeat to Southland in its opening Hawke Cup match with a win over North Otago at Molyneux Park this weekend.
A confidence boost for the side heading into the match is the fact that North Otago also suffered a heavy defeat in its first match, losing to South Canterbury by 10 wickets.
Country manager Mark Patterson said North Otago could be "a bit hot and cold. They play really well but can lack a bit of consistency".
However, Patterson was wary of what North Otago was capable of going on the performances of past seasons.
"North Otago tends to have a few key players that are quite dangerous and we certainly don't feel comfortable coming up against them. Essentially we need to get maximum points from this game to get ourselves in with a chance."
After poor batting against Southland, Country has made some changes to the line-up, including bringing in top-order batsman Jonathan Homer, from Albion, who was unavailable for the last match, and rising cricket and rugby star Michael Collins, from Queenstown.
Former South Canterbury spinner Blair Brown has also been bought into the attack, with Patterson saying he will add a variety.
Those to miss out from the last match are Sam Blakely, who is away trialling for the New Zealand under-19 side, and Queenstown left-arm medium-pacer Sean Windle.
North Otago has made three changes to the lineup which lost outright to South Canterbury in December. Ben Cant returns to open the innings and add bite to the bowling attack.
Wicketkeeper Scott Simpson will bat at four and give added depth to the batting, while veteran all-rounder Glynn Cameron returns and will bat at seven.
Gone from the team that lost to South Canterbury are opener Chris Cunningham, Sean Eathorne and Darcy Hooper-Smith.
The bowling attack will be led by left-armers David Sewell and Chris Ware, with Cant and Tim McCormick medium-pace change bowlers and captain Stephan Grobler, Jordan Horrell and Cameron providing spin.
North Otago's aim will be to improve its batting. Chasing South Canterbury's first innings total of 227, North Otago was dismissed for 96 in reply, with only three batsmen reaching double figures.
Forced to follow on, North Otago was all out for 142, leaving South Canterbury leaving to score 12 runs for maximum points.
The bowling statistics produced hope, with Sewell taking four for 59 off 30 overs, 11 of which were maidens, while change bowler McCormick claimed four for 62 off 16.1 overs.
Ware's figures of none for 46 off 12 overs, five of which were maidens, belied his impact on the game.
Hawke Cup cricket
Alexandra, today and tomorrow
Otago Country: Brendan Domigan (captain), Scott Paulin, Jonathan Homer, James Pyle, Jarred Andrew, Cameron Rutherford, Fraser Wilson, Michael Collins, Ben Purvis, Sean Moran, Blair Brown, Kieran Parker.
North Otago: Stephan Grobler (captain), Ben Cant, Jeremiah Shields, Scott Simpson, Duncan Drew, Tim O'Malley, Glynn Cameron, Jordan Horrell, Tim McCormick, David Sewell, Chris Ware, Anthony Sewell (12th man).
