With the Volts experiencing a high turnover of players this year, cricket writer Adrian Seconi takes a close look at the next crop of players coming through the ranks.
Josh Tasman-Jones
The top order batsman has had two opportunities in two years and showed some ability with a tenacious knock of 59 not out against a decent Northern Districts attack in Dunedin at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Camden Hawkins
The Carisbrook-Dunedin top-order batsman got himself on the Volts’ radar with a stunning club season. He was easily the leading batsman in the competition with 776 runs at an average of 55.40. To average more than 50 on Dunedin club wickets is a solid endorsement.
Shawn Hicks
The ex-Aucklander made the move south last summer in search of more game time and is one of the few Otago batsmen to enhance his reputation. In three first-class games for his adopted province, the 22-year-old scored 147 runs at an average of 36.75.
Josh Finnie
Finnie has been in the promising bracket since making his provincial debut four years ago. The 21-year-old had an injury-hampered season but is highly regarded and certainly possesses a wide array of attacking shots. Can bowl handy off breaks as well.
Llew Johnson
The 18-year-old batsman replaced Jimmy Neesham in the twenty20 team this season but failed to make an impact in the three games he played. His inclusion might have been a little premature but is a player with a bright future.
Hunter Kindley
The all-rounder led Otago to victory at the national under-19 tournament in 2016 with an outstanding campaign. He was the tournament’s leading scorer with 306 runs at 51 and he is a handy spin bowler as well.
Nathan Smith
The right-arm seamer made his debut for the province aged just 17 and is considered a potential future leader of the team. A former New Zealand under-19 representative, he can certainly bowl and has the potential to develop into a quality all-rounder.
Max Chu
The 18-year-old shapes as the most likely candidate to replace veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Derek de Boorder, who is moving on with life after cricket. Chu kept wickets for his country at the under-19 World Cup earlier this year but his batting is a work in progress.
Matt Bacon
The 25-year-old moved south from Wellington and spent a lot of time carrying the drinks for Otago last season. But when he did get opportunities, the strongly-build medium pacer made a positive impression. He took 10 wickets in two first-class games at an average of 14.90 and looks a very promising long-term prospect.
Warren Barnes
The injury-prone fast bowler is probably the pick of the bunch. When he is fit, and bowling well, the 26-year-old looks like a future international. He possesses a wonderful inswinging yorker and a decent bouncer all delivered at a brisk pace. But in three seasons for Otago, he has played just two first-class games for a haul of 15 wickets at 11.86. Fingers crossed he stays injury free this summer.
Ben Lockrose
The left-arm spinner made his provincial debut in a twenty20 match against Auckland in Alexandra and did not look out of place. He has since turned 18 and seemingly has a very long future in the game. Otago has two good spinners in Mark Craig and Michael Rippon, so Lockrose will be eased in gradually.
Others
Right-armer Jacob Duffy, who seems to have been around for ever, is actually only 23 and will lead the attack now Neil Wagner has transferred north. He will be joined by 22-year-old Michael Rae, who had a breakthrough summer with 29 first-class wickets at an average of 25.10. Then there is Jack Hunter as well. The 23-year-old was easily the pick of the Otago one-day bowlers with 12 wickets at 22.75.
