The Volts have started the one-day tournament with back-to-back wins against Central Districts.
That is pleasing enough, but what makes the effort even more rewarding is the team was missing several key performers.
Pace bowler Michael Rae and talented all-rounder Nathan Smith missed both games, and Otago captain and leading bowler Jacob Duffy missed Tuesday’s tense 10-run win.
The trio were on New Zealand A duty. Rae will return for the matches against Auckland at Eden Park on Sunday and Tuesday, but Duffy and Smith will remain unavailable.
The Volts have leaned heavily on Duffy and Smith. But in their absence, the Volts have had to thrust that responsibility on other shoulders. And in Matt Bacon and Travis Muller the team has found a decent solution.
The pair played a critical role in the Volts’ 10-run win at Pukekura Park on Tuesday.
Bacon, who was overlooked for selection during the early rounds of the Plunket Shield, bowled superbly.
He took one for 23 from five overs, and bowled at the death when the slog was on and centurion George Worker was batting.
Muller took a five-wicket bag, bouncing back from an average first two list A games for Otago.
"We were pretty average in the field to be fair, but it was an unreal performance from Matt Bacon and obviously Travis chimed in at the end," Walter said.
"They had to bowl in the phases that Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith would usually bowl, so for them to step in there and deliver those performances under pressure and against two good batters and close the game out was great. It is good to know those guys are capable of doing that.
"It gives us a feeling of depth and that is a positive," he added.
