The Otago Sparks will be missing leading all-rounder Leigh Kasperek for its final round of games against Wellington at the University Oval this weekend.
Kasperek sat out the back-to-back one-dayers against Canterbury last weekend with a back complaint and has not recovered in time.
The off-spinner is Otago's joint leading wicket-taker in the one-day competition with 10 wickets at an average of 20.70, and has also taken six wickets in the twenty20 tournament at 16.33.
Her contribution with the bat has been solid as well. She has scored 212 runs at 42.40 in the one-day tournament.
However, coach Warren Lees said her absence will be most acutely felt at the bowling crease.
"We just couldn't take wickets against Canterbury,'' he said in reference to two heavy losses at Hagley Oval.
"We were so desperately short of another spin bowler when we played Canterbury and that is what killed us.''
The Sparks are in last place in the twenty20 tournament with one win from four games but there is still hope in the one-day tournament.
The Sparks will need to beat Wellington twice and rely on Auckland to beat Canterbury in both one-dayers.
"There is a bit of life and all we have to do is make sure we put it all together. Number 1, we have to score enough runs and number 2, we have to take wickets.
"We have to bowl sides out in this competition so we have to get early wickets.''
The Sparks' top order is in good form with Katey Martin fresh from a century, and captain Suzie Bates is the leading scorer in the one-day tournament with 420 runs at an average of 70.
However; Kasperek's absence weakens the batting line-up and others will have to step up.
Otago and Wellington will play three matches this weekend beginning with a twenty20 fixture this afternoon, followed by back-to-back one-dayers tomorrow and Monday.
Sparks team
to play Wellington
Otago: Suzie Bates, Caitlin Blakely, Katey Martin, Laura Marsh, Polly Inglis, Victoria Abbott, Bella James, Millie Cowan, Morna Nielsen, Ella Brown, Georgia Clarke, Megan Gibbs.
Wellington: Sophie Devine, Erin Burns, Dee Doughty, Allex Evans, Emma Fulbrook, Amelia Kerr, Gemma Krebs, Suzie McDonald, Jess McFadyen, Liz Perry, Rachel Priest, Eimear Richardson.
