Cricket: A few clouds on Volts' horizon

Michael Bracewell.
Michael Bracewell.
Otago can reflect on a good season, with one notable exception - its one-day campaign.

With just two wins from seven games, Otago finds itself playing Central Districts in the wooden spoon match at the University Oval today.

It is not how Otago would have wanted to finish the summer and one wonders whether it is a sign of things to come?

The province made the final of the twenty20 tournament and also finished second in the Plunket Shield. Based on that evidence, the results in the one-day tournament appear more of a blip than a trend.

And there have been some very good individual performances, particularly in the Plunket Shield.

Powerful left-hander Michael Bracewell had a breakthrough season with four first-class centuries.

Jesse Ryder's move south from Wellington proved extremely fruitful for both the player and his new province.

He also scored four first-class centuries and two one-day hundreds for Otago.

All-rounder Sam Wells joined an elite club when he claimed a first-class five-wicket bag and scored a hundred in the same game.

Black Caps Neil Wagner (22 wickets at 23.59) and Jimmy Neesham (20 at 25.90) bowled well in four-day games for Otago when they were available.

But there are some troubling signs that suggest leaner times ahead for the Volts.

Otago sorely missed experienced seamer Ian Butler, who has only just returned after being sidelined with a chronic back complaint since the opening game of the summer.

The 32-year-old needed an injection to help with pain and inflammation so he could make it back on to the park.

He seems determined to prolong his playing career but his back problems are not going to go away.

Veteran pace bowler James McMillan was brilliant for Otago in the twenty20 campaign and chipped in during the Plunket Shield.

The 35-year-old deflected questions about any impending retirement when asked earlier this summer but it cannot be too far away.

Seamers Jacob Duffy and Blair Soper are still honing their craft at the top level.

Duffy has developed a reputation as a fine death bowler but he has struggled at first-class level with 19 wickets at 49.42.

Soper is capable of bowling some gems but he is also erratic and very raw.

Otago is going to have to recruit well during the off-season to replenish its bowling stocks because depth is clearly going to be an issue otherwise.

The batting reserves are in better shape. Brad Rodden scored his maiden first-class century in just his second match for the province.

Opener Ryan Duffy was solid in two first-class appearances as well, and Iain Robertson showed what he is capable of with a hard-hit 76 in a one-dayer.

Opportunities, though, are scarce with the Volts enjoying a settled batting line-up that was bolstered by the arrival of Ryder.

Perhaps the biggest unknown is what impact the resignation of former coach Vaughn Johnson will have on the team.

Johnson, who took over from Mike Hesson in 2011-12, led the Volts in an incredible 15-game winning streak that saw the province claim the HRV Cup and win five consecutive games at the Champions League last season.

 


Ford Trophy
The teams

Otago: Aaron Redmond, Hamish Rutherford, Michael Bracewell, Ryan ten Doeschate, Jesse Ryder, Sam Wells, Derek de Boorder (captain), Ian Butler, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, Bradley Scott, Mark Craig.

Central Districts: Jamie How, Ben Smith, David Meiring, Carl Cachopa, Kruger van Wyk, Dane Cleaver, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Tarun Nethula, Martin Kain, Seth Rance, Andrew Mathieson, Roald Badenhorst.


 

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