The Otago Volts begin the whirlwind of the domestic twenty/20 competition today when they take on the Canterbury Wizards in Timaru this afternoon, on a ground which can be a bowler's graveyard.
The two sides clash at Aorangi Oval as the HRV Cup competition gets into full gear, after one round before Christmas.
The shortest version of the game takes main attention for the best part of the next month and Otago has four games in the next seven days, starting with a clash against its neighbour.
Otago coach Vaughn Johnson said there was not much time off in the next month but it was vital the side remained focused on its task.
"There is not much respite and it is pretty full-on from here on in. We are on the road for a good part of it. But we have to make sure that we are up for every game," Johnson said.
"It can be a little bit hit-and-miss but we have to make sure we have a plan and stick to that for the entire game. It is vital in these games we do not have a 10-0 over, in that you do not concede 20 runs an over or lose three wickets."
There was one early round in the competition and Otago managed a last-ball victory over Central Districts in Dunedin on December 18, while Canterbury lost by five runs to Northern Districts on the same day.
Otago had all of the last week away from actually playing the game - an odd decision by cricket administrators to play no cricket in the week before Christmas - but has still had four trainings, including an intense spell yesterday.
The Oval in Timaru has been very friendly to batsmen in the past, with its short boundaries, and flat pitch, and although Johnson is yet to inspect the wicket, he is not expecting much different.
A one-day game there between the sides, just under two years ago, produced more than 700 runs - the most scored by two sides in a domestic one day game in the country.
With that in mind, Otago has brought paceman James McMillan into the 13, with batsman Hamish Rutherford dropping out.
Johnson said the side wanted to get a good balance between batting and bowling and it was important Otago remained accurate in all forms of the game.
He felt the side had played well in the win over Central Districts and but for the batting of Ross Taylor - who scored 95 at a rate of nearly two runs a ball - the side could have won more comfortably.
Canterbury will field former Otago import Yasir Arafat in its side and he will not have fond memories of Timaru, having been belted all over the ground two years ago.
Much will depend for Otago on its top order, with Brendon McCullum looking to push on from his impressive 79 against Central Districts.
Aaron Redmond and Neil Broom must surely fire shortly, while Neil Wagner will want to show he can be a force in the shorter version of the game.
Otago returns to Dunedin to take on the Northern Knights on Thursday, before playing the Wellington Firebirds on Saturday, in Queenstown. It then ventures to Nelson, to play the Central Stags on Monday.
The Otago Sparks begin a three-match series against Northern Spirit at Lincoln today, with a twenty/20 game.
The side then plays a one-day match tomorrow and another twenty/20 match on Thursday.
Defending champion Auckland signalled its intention to retain its title of twenty/20 king, claiming a tight three-wicket win over Northern Districts at Colin Maiden Park yesterday.
More than 4000 fans turned out for the second round HRV Cup clash and the Aces did not disappoint their home support, chasing down the Knights' 155 for five with an over to spare.
The win was marred by a blood-soaked Andre Adams being forced to leave the field after copping a Tim Southee bouncer to his face.
Martin Guptill got Auckland's chase off to the perfect start, hitting Kane Williamson for six on the second ball of the innings to set the tone for the early overs, with Auckland bringing up its 50 from just 30 balls.
But once Graeme Aldridge dismissing the dangerous Guptill for 27 the clamp was put on Auckland's free-swinging, and a wicket spree reduced Auckland to 79 for four after 10 overs.
After Adams retired hurt and Richard Hira was caught behind for a golden duck, Auckland was in trouble with 21 needed from three overs and three wickets in hand.
With the Aces still needing 13 from the final two, Southee conceded three wides to put Auckland within reach. Auckland did not let the opportunity slip, with Colin Munro (14 off 11) and Kyle Mills (4 off 4) seeing it home.
Volts v Wizards
Aorangi Oval, Timaru, 2pm today
Otago (from): Brendon McCullum (captain), Nick Beard, Derek de Boorder, Michael Bracewell, Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Craig Cumming, Jimmy Neesham, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Nathan McCullum, James McMillan, Aaron Redmond, Neil Wagner
Canterbury (from): Peter Fulton (captain), George Worker, Rob Nicol, Shanan Stewart, Dean Brownlie, Tom Latham, Brendon Diamanti, Andrew Ellis, Yasir Arafat, Reece Young, Mitchell Claydon, Matt Henry, Ryan McCone.
