The cup is provincial cricket's most sought-after piece of silverware and Otago Country will not want to lose it in its first defence against Marlborough starting today.
Otago Country coach Andy Sainsbury said the side had celebrated last week but this week had got back into its work on the field.
Marlborough is the first of three challengers for the holder and the team from the top of the South Island brings a team with plenty of talent to Molyneux Park.
Marlborough boasts former Black Caps all-rounder Brendan Diamanti, who captains the team, one-time New Zealand pace bowler Carl Bulfin and former All Black Leon MacDonald, who happens to be more than handy at the summer game.
The loss of Otago Country's top batsman, Jarred Andrew, for this weekend is a blow, as the Queenstown-based player is the side's top run-scorer this year.
Also unavailable for the defence is all-rounder Mark Knox, who has commitments on the Coast to Coast.
Otago Country has brought experienced Blacks Hill bowler Russell Nevill and young batsman Rob von Elling into the side.
Von Elling has experienced Hawke Cup action before, as a member of the Counties-Manukau squad in 2009. He has been largely unavailable for selection this season, playing just one match. However, his form in recent times for club side Queenstown suggests he will be a more than capable replacement for Andrew.
Sainsbury said the Molyneux Park wicket looked a typical belter with plenty of runs in it.
Such is the format of Hawke Cup, with the side winning on the first innings more than likely to take the trophy, the emphasis was to bat well.
"It usually comes down to a one innings game, unless both teams bat badly. So we've talked about having to bat well and getting out there and making a big score," Sainsbury said.
Sainsbury said winning the Hawke Cup had renewed interest in the game and he hoped people would get along to the park in the weekend.
The three-day match starts at 10.30am today.
OTAGO COUNTRY v MARLBOROUGH
- Today until Sunday
• Otago Country: Brendon Domigan (captain), Peter Breen, Michael Collins, Daniel Ford, Bradley Frost, Russell Nevill, James Pyle, Cameron Rutherford, Eric Standfield, Rob van Elling, Sean Windle, Fraser Wilson.
• Marlborough: Brendon Diamanti (captain), Jackson Pearce, Martyn Vercoe, Andrew McCaa, Ben Wheeler, Jerry Lamb, Leon MacDonald, Greg Stretch, Josh Poole, Carl Bulfin, Greg Knowles, Chris Gibb.
