Cricket: Challenge awaits talented Otago side

Otago has some ground to make up in the Plunket Shield but has named the team to do it.

The Volts have made a poor start to the stop-start four-day competition and are on the bottom of the standings with two losses and a draw.

But the team named for its match against Wellington in Queenstown tomorrow is loaded with talent.

It bears a close resemblance to the side which fronted for the weather-interrupted one-day preliminary final against Canterbury.

That team found some strong form late in the competition and will be looking to continue on in that vein.

Opener Brad Wilson was overlooked for the majority of the one-day campaign. But he is Otago's leading scorer in first-class cricket this season and retains his spot at the top of the order.

Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham scored a century in Otago's opening four-dayer against Central Districts in October and he gets the nod at No5, replacing Anaru Kitchen.

Neil Wagner and Jacob Duffy will spearhead the attack, with all-rounder Sam Wells operating as a fourth seamer.

Black Caps spinner Mark Craig will shoulder the slow-bowling duties and left-arm medium-pacer Craig Smith gets an opportunity after carrying the drinks for Otago during the latter half of the one-day competition.

‘‘It was a tough decision, that,'' Nathan King said when asked why Kitchen had been left out.

‘‘We have a lot of quality players in the top order at the moment. The top four that we've selected is the same top four as in the previous [four-day] game and then Neesham has come in and replaced Anaru.

‘‘[Neesham] will still bowl a four or five-over spell but really he has been selected as a batsman.''

King said the washed-out match against Canterbury was a disappointing way to end the one-day campaign but had made his side ‘‘more determined'' to do well.

‘‘It didn't end the way we wanted it to and there is still determination there to try to win the Plunket Shield. We know we are up against it based on how were are placed at the moment. But, if we can string some wins together, we can be there or thereabouts.''

Otago has not won the first-class trophy since 1987-88.

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