The Otago Cricket Association was not prepared to discuss its high performance programme and whether there would be any changes when approached earlier this week.
A string of recent poor results has led to questions about whether the association’s high performance programme is delivering.
The Otago Volts have had a dismal season to date, finishing last in both the twenty20 and one-day tournaments. The team is well off the pace in the Plunket Shield, as well. And the previous summer the team finished last in all three formats.
The Otago Sparks have also slipped. The team won the twenty20 title last season but was at the bottom of the standings this season.
It fared better in the one-day competition, finishing fourth, which was on par with its effort the previous season.
The Otago under-19 men’s team won the national tournament in 2016-17 but managed just one win this season and finished in last place. It was missing some key personnel, who opted to play for their school. That said, it was still a disappointing campaign.
The under-17 team finished rock bottom with six losses from seven games. The other match was abandoned, so no joy there, either.
The Otago women’s under-21 team finished fifth with two wins - the same result it achieved in 2016-17.
It has to be said the Otago Cricket Association (OCA) is the smallest, by a significant margin, of the six major associations and teams from the region often struggle.
But this season all the teams are labouring and the OCA was not in the mood to discuss the matter through the media.
OCA chief executive Mike Coggan referred the Otago Daily Times to chairman James Lovelock, who was no more forthcoming.
"The only comment I’d make is that it’s obviously still mid-season," Lovelock wrote.
"Come the end of the season, as is normal practice, the OCA will instigate a comprehensive season review of all facets of the high performance programme including the performance of the Volts and their coaching staff.
"These are matters that are operational in nature, so please direct any requests for comment ... back to our CEO, Mike Coggan."
Coggan did not offer any more insight second time around.
"All I can say at the moment reiterates what James may have said in that we will instigate ... a thorough review of our high performance programme which will look at all areas, inclusive of the performances of the Otago Volts across three formats ..."
