Otago has everybody’s attention. The challenge now is to maintain that form through to the playoffs.
The Volts have made a terrific start to the Super Smash.
They toppled a star-studded Auckland side at Eden Park Outer Oval on Saturday despite Glenn Phillips posting an undefeated ton. They backed up with a very solid win against Northern Districts a couple of days later.
The rematch with Auckland at the University of Otago Oval on Thursday was rained off which was disappointing. That could have the potential of chipping away at the Volts’ momentum, particularly if they lose today’s match with Wellington at the Basin Reserve.
The next assignment after that is not until the back-to-back games against Northern Districts and Canterbury at Molyneux Park on December 29 and 30.
That is an eight-day break and certainly enough time to squeeze in one too many helpings — is there such a thing? — of Christmas pudding.
Hamish Rutherford is timing the ball so magnificently it is a bit of a surprise he has not been called over to Australia to replace the out-of-form Jeet Raval for the Boxing Day test.
He got out in unfortunate circumstances in the rained-off game against Auckland — run out at the non-striker’s end.
The 30-year-old left-hander was making batting look too easy up until that point. His strike rate is north of 200 this season which is awfully impressive.
Neil Broom clouted 93 in the opening match and his partnership with Rutherford at the top of the order is critical for the Volts.
In recent times, when they have failed, Otago has tended to crumble. But it will be reassuring for the side to see the likes of Dean Foxcroft, Nick Kelly and Josh Finnie making telling contributions.
Finnie whacked 47 off 18 balls in the win against Northern Districts. He has faltered rather more than he has flourished since his provincial debut in 2014.
But not many can score at that pace and that ability has afforded him more opportunities than most. Time will tell whether he can deliver on his potential more consistently.
Another young player who has made a towering start to the campaign is Nathan Smith. The 21-year-old is taking a wicket every 6.5 balls or so. That is almost one an over.
He has picked up seven wickets and quite a few of them have come at the death where he has shone. Otago has closed the innings with the ball rather well and Smith has been instrumental in that phase.
Left-arm wrist spinner Michael Rippon can be tricky to get away and the Volts also have a left and right-arm spinner to call on.
It is versatile attack which the captain Jacob Duffy has at his disposal.
The Firebirds enter the match against Volts following a loss to Central Districts at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday.
Coach Glenn Pocknall has made one change to his squad — legspinner Peter Younghusband replaces Jeetan Patel, who has played his final game for Wellington.
Otago v Wellington
Basin Reserve, today, 4.10pm
Otago: Hamish Rutherford, Neil Broom, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Finnie, Anaru Kitchen, Nathan Smith, Michael Rippon, Max Chu, Jacob Duffy (captain), Michael Rae, Dale Phillips.
Wellington: Michael Pollard, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell (captain), Jimmy Neesham, Jamie Gibson, Malcolm Nofal, Logan Van Beek, Ollie Newton, Peter Younghusband, Hamish Bennett, Fraser Colson.
