The Volts have named a relatively inexperienced side for their campaign opener against Wellington at the Queenstown Events Centre today.
Injuries to top-order batsman Aaron Redmond and key all-rounder Nathan McCullum, and the non-selection of Greg Todd, have stripped the batting line-up of some its most reliable contributors over the past few seasons.
But Cumming believes the incoming players have the skills and belief to be successful.
"We're certainly not the same side that we've been in the last two or three years," Cumming acknowledged.
"But in saying that, these guys have got a real opportunity and they are coming into a side that expects to win.
"They have been picked because they are very good cricketers - because we've also left out some very good cricketers.
"We've certainly got a lot of confidence in them and I still believe we've got enough experience to be more than competitive."
Exciting left-handed opener Hamish Rutherford will carry the baton in Redmond's absence.
He made a name for himself in the twenty/20 tournament last season with his carefree approach and hard-hitting style.
Shaun Haig earns his spot on the back of some excellent form in the Plunket Shield and Sean Eathorne gets another opportunity at the expense of Todd.
Otago has played some superb one-day cricket during the past three summers, reaching three finals and winning the title in 2007-08.
Some changes have been made to the format this year, with the round-robin reduced from 10 rounds to eight and the play-off series expanded from three to four teams.
Cumming is excited about the changes and believes the new format will keep the competition interesting for longer.
"I think it is good.
"It creates a real interest towards the business end of the season.
"Hopefully, it will create extra exposure, because it is do or die and it is a real pressure time."
Fitting in an expanded twenty/20 competition and adding two rounds to the four-day competition has been a challenge.
The cricket calender is compressed so tightly players have to make rapid wardrobe changes, switching from whites to colours and back to whites again.
Otago beat Wellington by nine wickets in a Plunket Shield match on Sunday and, barring a few personnel changes, plays the same side on the same pitch today.
"Swapping between different formats creates challenges with training we haven't had to do in the last few years.
"But we need 10 rounds of the Plunket Shield and this is one of the compromises we needed to make to fit it into the calendar."
With the shortened round-robin phase Cumming said it was crucial to get a good start in what would likely be an even competition.
"If the four-dayers are anything to go by, it is very hard to say who will be the team to beat.
"It is just such a close competition.
"I can't see one team streaking away in this form."
"But if we're not in that final series, it will have been a disappointing season."
One-day
Teams to play in Queenstown
Otago: Craig Cumming (captain), Hamish Rutherford, Shaun Haig, Neil Broom, Darren Broom, Sean Eathorne, Derek de Boorder, Ian Butler, Warren McSkimming, Neil Wagner, Anthony Bullick, Nick Beard, Mat Harvie.
Wellington: Matthew Bell (captain), Dewayne Bowden, BJ Crook, Chris Nevin, Andy McKay, Cameron Merchant, Neal Parlane, Michael Pollard, Stewart Rhodes, Robbie Schaw, Malaesaili Tugaga, Luke Woodcock.
