Otago coach Hesson yesterday confirmed his 15-man travelling squad for the twenty/20 tournament in India next month.
The majority of the team is well established, with Black Caps Brendon and Nathan McCullum, Craig Cumming, Ian Butler and Neil Broom, English international Dimitri Mascarenhas, former international Aaron Redmond, South African bowler Neil Wagner and experienced provincial campaigners Warren McSkimming, Greg Todd and James McMillan forming the core of a formidable side.
The other players to make the cut are left-arm spinner Nick Beard, wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder, young opening batsman Hamish Rutherford and fast bowler Mathew Harvie.
"It's a good squad. It was pretty hard to pick but I'm very happy with it," Hesson said yesterday.
The players to miss out were Shaun Haig, Will Somerville, Anthony Bullick, Sean Eathorne and Leighton Morgan.
Haig will go to Brisbane with Otago for warm-up matches before the tournament, while Bullick will travel to India as the side's video analyst.
Hesson said it was difficult to decide on the final 15, and not just because the prize is a potentially massive pay day at the Champions League.
"It's more because we haven't been able to play any games, so we've had to base a lot of our selections on history.
"We've got guys in the extended squad who have done a of of work over the winter and shown great improvement and fitness. But you can only put so much emphasis on that.
"It was very hard to tell some guys they've missed the boat."
Hesson said Beard demanded inclusion because his left-arm orthodox spin would suit the conditions and give Otago an extra bowling option.
The Volts have 11 players in Dunedin and will not, in fact, have their full squad together until the players assemble in India.
"We're in touch quite often with our international guys," Hesson said.
"They know what needs to be done and they're fizzing as much as anyone.
"Getting the guys together here has been great. This is just the start of a special few weeks."
Hesson has bolstered his management team, with former Otago coach Vaughn Johnson joining Otago as an assistant coach.
Johnson is the pace bowling coach for New Zealand Cricket and has been allowed to join the Volts for a month.
George Morris (manager), Greg Usherwood (physiotherapist) and Chris Donaldson (strength and conditioning) complete the Otago staff.
The Volts will continue training in Dunedin until they head to Australia for training and warm-up games on September 25.
For Champions League
Craig Cumming (captain), Neil Broom, Nick Beard, Derek de Boorder, Ian Butler, Mathew Harvie, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, James McMillan, Warren McSkimming, Aaron Redmond, Hamish Rutherford, Greg Todd, Neil Wagner.
