Otago will be without its sideline general and an experienced batsman for its one-day Ford Trophy game against Northern Districts in Hamilton today.
Opening batsman Neil Broom has been ruled out due to a knee complaint.
The right-hander captured the world's attention when he smacked an undefeated 117 for Otago in a Champions League game last year.
But Broom has been troubled by a sore knee for the best part of the past month and will see a specialist this week.
He will not know the extent of the injury or how long he will be out for until after he has had the consultation.
His spot in the 12 will be taken by all-rounder Sam Wells, returning from a shoulder injury.
The other significant figure who will be absence is coach Vaughn Johnson.
He is too ill to travel and has handed over the reins to assistant coach Nathan King.
King could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Otago made a positive start to the one-day competition with a five-wicket win against Canterbury in Timaru on Sunday.
Jesse Ryder scored a undefeated 108 and had valuable support from Nathan McCullum, who contributed an undefeated 50.
Broom's absence will free up a place for Aaron Redmond, who carried the drinks in the opening match.
He was perhaps unlucky to miss out on a spot in the playing XI and is likely to slot in at the top, although Ryder is also an option.
Otago might be reluctant to shift Ryder, though, after he played a match-winning innings at No 5.
Also, two left-handers at the top is less desirable than a right-handed and left-handed combination.
Northern Districts made a poor start to the tournament, suffering a seven-wicket defeat to Auckland.
Pace bowler Mitchell McClenaghan took four for 33 from 10 overs to help dismiss ND for a very modest 195 at Eden Park Outer Oval.
Anaru Kitchen paced the chase with an undefeated 87 from 117 balls and Colin de Grandhomme whacked 41 not out from 37 to help seal the win.
BJ Watling complied an fine innings of 72 for Northern and will present a threat with the bat along with Kane Williamson and the heavy-hitting Corey Anderson.
Northern's attack should be well-served by Black Caps Trent Boult and Ish Sodhi with support from Anderson.
Ford Trophy
The teams
Otago: Aaron Redmond, Hamish Rutherford, Michael Bracewell, Ryan ten Doeschate, Jesse Ryder, Jimmy Neesham, Nathan McCullum, Derek de Boorder (captain), Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, Bradley Scott, Sam Wells.
Northern Districts: Daniel Flynn (captain), Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson, BJ Watling, Corey Anderson, Jono Hickey, Scott Kuggeleijn, Brett Hampton, Ish Sodhi, Anurag Verma, Trent Boult, Jono Boult, Anton Devcich.
