The sun kept popping up, though, and the game against Wellington almost got under way at 2.30pm.
The teams and a small crowd observed a minute's silence for Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who died on Thursday from the injury he sustained when he was hit by a bouncer.
The University Oval's ground staff had painted #408 on the ground - the number of Hughes' Baggy Green.
With no cricket to talk about, Otago coach Dimitri Mascarenhas gave his assessment of his side's campaign.
''It was disappointing. We haven't played very well and we are about where we should be in the competition,'' he said.
''But at the end of the day we had five last-over games and won one of them. The best team wins those games.''
After making the final last summer, last place is a mighty decline for Otago. Some of the players who were expected to shine did not deliver. Former Australian and Dutch international Dirk Nannes is the first name you would jot down on that list.
He was horrendously expensive, conceding an average of 10.16 runs an over. The Volts were slow to recognise he was not the bowler he has been in the past. Jacob Duffy (9.68) was another bowler who really struggled.
Both bowled at the tail of innings which is never an easy assignment. But there were too many half volleys, half-trackers and full tosses on offer.
Otago laboured with the bat as well. The team posted just the two 50s.
The captain, Ryan ten Doeschate, was a rare exception. He scored 267 runs during the campaign but lacked support. He ought to have been able to rely on players such as Aaron Redmond and Michael Bracewell for more assistance.
Jesse Ryder missed the team flight to Christchurch for the game against Canterbury and then injured his back, so he had much less impact on the tournament than hoped.
Then there were all those ''home games'' played in Hamilton and the fact the Volts' best players were overseas with the Black Caps or New Zealand A. Injuries played a part as well.
''Everyone was in the same boat. We just haven't been good enough. Yes, we have people out but that is what we want. We want to get people ready to play for the Black Caps. We're lucky enough to have seven away at the moment and we just have to deal with that,'' Mascarenhas said.
The Volts may have unearthed a star in Josh Finnie, though. The 17-year-old Otago Boys' High School pupil made his debut in the six-wicket loss to Central Districts in Napier on Friday night.
He grabbed two wickets and looked promising with the bat. He shapes as one to watch in the one-day campaign which begins after Christmas.
Otago's next assignment is a Plunket Shield game against Northern Districts at the University Oval beginning on December 11.
Defending champions the Northern Knights finished top qualifier for the round-robin after a six-wicket win over the Auckland Aces in Napier last night. The Knights scored 136 for four chasing down the Aces' 135 for eight.
The Knights face the Firebirds in the major semifinal in Hamilton on Friday night. The winner goes through to Sunday's final while the loser plays the Aces in the minor semifinal on Saturday.
