Neesham, who has been struggling with a back injury, played as a specialist batsman in the seven-wicket win against Canterbury in Christchurch yesterday.
His inclusion meant Otago player of the year Anaru Kitchen was relegated to carrying the drinks.
While Neesham did not bowl during the match, he has been bowling in the nets and is getting closer to returning to the bowling crease in a competitive setting.
``As soon as Jim is available as an all-rounder then Anaru can get his spot back and we can balance the team,'' Otago coach Rob Walter said.
Otago's next assignment is against Wellington at the Basin Reserve. The game begins on Monday and the home team will have plenty of confidence having dispatched Auckland by an innings and 205 runs.
But Otago showed it will be a much more competitive unit this season with its win against Canterbury.
``Our combined bowling effort on day one was awesome. We had very specific bowling plans which the guys stuck to.
``Then the first session [in the field on Wednesday] was one we put a huge emphasis on and the guys delivered with six wickets.
``And that opening partnership between Brad Wilson and Hamish Rutherford ... set us up.''
Otago resumed yesterday on 192 for two, needing a further 47 runs to clinch an outright victory.
Neil Broom was caught and bowled for 48 with the target just four runs away. But his dismissal was the only hiccup for Otago in a sedate morning during which the visiting side quietly went about securing the required runs.
Rutherford (90) and Wilson (63) put on 162 for the first wicket the day before to set up an easy final day.
But most of the hard graft was done by Otago's seamers on the opening day.
Jacob Duffy shone with three for 24 from 15 overs, and Neil Wagner and Michael Rae grabbed two apiece to help dismiss Canterbury for a modest 155.
It fell on spinner Mark Craig to make some inroads in Canterbury's second innings and he came through with four for 87.
The 30-year-old missed the domestic season last year with a back complaint, so it was a pleasing return for the international.
``That is what you want from your spinner. We probably missed that last season.
``He is not at his best yet but he is certainly giving us good overs and you can't understate his value in the game.''
Otago managed just one win from 10 games last season and it had to wait until round six to get it. But while it was a welcome victory for the Volts, it was also nothing more than the team should have expected.
Otago went into the match with six past or present internationals and was up against a Canterbury team decimated by injuries.
The home side had to call in a loan player from Northern Districts to bolster its bowling ranks which included debutants Fraser Sheat and Blake Coburn.
The match between Nothern Districts and Centricts at Mount Maunganui ended in a draw.
