England international Steven Finn has been looking forward to having a bowl at the Basin Reserve since he arrived in the country a month ago.
The 22-year-old fast bowler has perhaps not had the success many thought he might have had during his brief stint with Otago.
In three first-class games for the province he has taken six wickets at an average of 33.33. It is a useful rather than impressive return.
But then the cards have not always been stacked in his favour. Last week he bowled with endeavour and vigour only to watch a lifeless University Oval pitch zap all the potency from his 150kmh deliveries.
It was enough to crush the spirit of the most resilient. But the conditions should be more to his liking when Otago plays Wellington in a Plunket Shield game in the capital today.
It is Finn's last match for the Volts and the lanky 2m-tall right-armer will be looking to finish on a high.
"I'm sure he will be looking forward to playing on the Basin," Otago coach Vaughn Johnson said.
"He has been great value for the team and a true professional. It would be great to see him back again some time.
"He has done everything we've asked of him. He has bowled well every game and, hopefully, he'll get to finish off on a pitch which has a bit of juice in it and he can show us his skills."
Otago has not made any changes from the side which drew with Northern Districts at the University Oval last week.
The Volts were comprehensively outplayed but, with so much time lost to poor weather, a result was not possible.
Of most concern to Otago will be its batting. It rebounded from a poor performance against Northern Districts with a slick effort with the bat in a one-dayer against the same opponent but in three first-class games this season Otago has managed to register just two batting bonus points. In was dismissed for 207 and just 63 against Central Districts and was in trouble at 210 for seven against Northern before the weather intervened.
The form of Michael Bracewell and Sam Wells has been one of the few high points, while experienced campaigners Craig Cumming, Aaron Redmond and Neil Broom are yet to pass 50 in a first-class match this summer.
Cumming, though, rediscovered his touch with a magnificent one-day century last week and will be looking to take that form into today's match.
Otago's troubles at the top have put pressure on the rest of the line-up but, so far, Johnson has resisted making a change to bolster the batting.
All-rounder Nathan McCullum has been trusted with the job at No 6 and, with Derek de Boorder at No 7, Otago has plenty of depth.
McCullum played a crucial hand with the bat in Otago's win against Canterbury earlier this month and is nearing a couple of milestones. He needs another 79 runs to bring up 2000 first-class runs and another five wickets to take his Otago first-class haul to 100.
Otago is in fourth spot in the Plunket Shield with 21 points from three games, while Wellington is at the bottom of the competition table with 11 points.
The Firebirds have made two changes from the team which drew with Auckland last week.
Stewart Rhodes replaces Josh Brodie and Tipene Friday replaces Leighton Burtt.
Otago v Wellington
Wellington, today
Otago: Aaron Redmond (captain), Craig Cumming, Michael Bracewell, Neil Broom, Sam Wells, Nathan McCullum, Derek de Boorder, Neil Wagner, Ian Butler, Steven Finn, James McMillan, Nick Beard.
Wellington: Grant Elliott (captain), Joe Austin-Smellie, Harry Boam, James Franklin, Tipene Friday, Scott Kuggeleijn, Andy McKay, Stephen Murdoch, Michael Papps, Jeetan Patel, Stewart Rhodes, Luke Woodcock.
