It is the semifinals or bust for the Otago team at the under-19 national tournament, and coach Adam Miles has a talented bunch to help reach that goal.
The team finished last in the previous season but more is expected this summer.
Otago has an ace to play in Nathan Smith. He is the leading pace bowler in his age-group in the country. He was the top wicket-taker at the tournament in 2015 with 15 wickets at 15.73.
The Oamaru 18-year-old has played two first-class games for Otago and was New Zealand's joint leading wicket-taker at the ICC Under-19 World Cup, so he certainly has the potential to make an impact during the tournament.
Smith will steam in with the new ball but will also have a weighty role with the bat in the middle order.
''He is going to get a good opportunity to continue his form at national and world tournaments,'' Miles said.
''He's an exciting talent.''
While Smith's name jumps out, another player to watch is wicketkeeper-batsman Max Chu. The left-hander scored a big hundred at the Secondary Schoolboys' First XI Cup finals in Lincoln last week and was the second-highest scorer at the tournament with nearly 200 runs and an average just short of 50.
The 17-year-old has been touted as a future first-class player and he ''is developing nicely'' Miles said.
''We always expect an influential performance from him with the gloves. He certainly sets the standard for us in the field and, with regards to the bat, he will be looking to finish off games of cricket for us.
''He had an opening role at [the first XI cup] but will be playing further down the order for us ... which will be good for his development. We're quite excited to see him come in during the middle to later overs and finish off some games of cricket.''
The highly-rated Hunter Kindley also posted a century at the first XI cup and is a very good offspin bowler. He took six wickets at 15.83 during the tournament.
Otago has eight players back from last year and that experience should serve the team well, Miles said.
''I think with this group, in particular, we have some experienced cricketers and some guys who have got national tournaments under their belt now.
''We've got to look to start well and I'd like to see us in a semifinal position come game six.''
The six teams play each other once with the top four qualifying for the semifinals and the bottom two teams consigned to playoff for fifth and sixth.
Otago opens its campaign against Canterbury today.
