Otago overseas professional Ryan ten Doeschate has played in almost 200 twenty20 fixtures in leagues all around the world. He knows a thing or two about the shortened format and shares four secrets of Otago's success as the Volts prepare for the final of HRV Cup in Hamilton tomorrow night. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi reports.
Background
Last summer, Otago won 15 consecutive twenty20 matches in an incredible winning streak which almost carried the side into the semifinals of the lucrative Champions League.
That remarkable run coincided with the arrival of Ryan ten Doeschate. The South African-born all-rounder made an immediate impact in his first game for the province. Otago was struggling at 15 for three before ten Doeschate whacked 65 from 45 to drag Otago through to a decent total of 173 for seven. Jacob Duffy and Ian Butler took three wickets apiece to restrict Northern Districts to 162 for eight. That was win No 1 of 15.
Chipping in
Everyone chips in at the Volts. It is part of the team mantra and a big part of the reason why Otago has an opportunity to defend the twenty20 title it won last season.
''It is a workman-like team,'' ten Doeschate said.
''We've got all the bases covered but there aren't any superstars. It is important in twenty20 cricket that there aren't too many dead positions, with guys just filling in. That can cost you but we seem to have most of the bases covered.''
Work ethic
Everyone is talented at an elite level but champions are out training when everyone else is having a rest day.
''The team ethic is very good,'' ten Doeschate said.
''You always see guys training hard and VJ [Otago coach Vaughn Johnson] puts the guys through their paces all the time. There is no let-up. There is a constant want to do well and be better.''
Culture
Every team claims to have a good culture but ten Doeschate sincerely believes Otago has a family-like atmosphere which has contributed to its success.
''It is a tight set of lads. I know that is a bit of a cliche but I genuinely mean that.''
The 33-year-old has played for the Netherlands, the Chittagong Kings, Essex, Impi, the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Mashonaland Eagles, Western Province and Canterbury, but Tasmania and Otago are the two teams he credits with building the best culture.
Consistency
''The fourth secret is we really know our recipe or formula,'' he said,''We pretty much do the same thing every time, which is key. People talk about momentum and that is essentially about being able to do the same things over and over. When you are winning, you are able to do that because it generally works. We haven't yet had to change the blueprint of how we play, so that consistency has been very key in doing well over a long period.''
Postscript
Ten Doeschate is hopeful of getting picked up in the IPL auction next month. But if his wonderful skills are somehow overlooked, the former Dutch international could be making his way back to Dunedin to play for Otago in the one-day tournament.
''Potentially, I could come back and play some one-day games. A lot does depend on that auction, so until the 13th of February, I won't be making any further plans.''
