Otago all-rounder Nathan Smith will join brother Jeremy Smith in the line-up.
Jeremy played a starring role in the team’s victory against Southland at Queens Park at the weekend.
The Carisbrook-Dunedin-Kaikorai all-rounder nabbed 11 wickets in the match and joined New Zealand great John Reid as the only player from the minor association to have scored a half-century and taken a 10-wicket bag in a match.
That is some feat for his younger brother Nathan to match. But Nathan certainly has the potential to have a similar impact.
The 22-year-old scored a rapid 76 and bagged three for 37 and two for 17 to help New Zealand A defeat the West Indies A by an innings and 143 runs during a first-class fixture in Mt Maunganui in December.
He further enhanced his reputation during a first-class fixture against Pakistan A in Whangarei later that month. He took three for 29 in the first innings and added scores of 40 and 45 batting at No 6.
North Otago Cricket Association chairman Peter Cameron was thrilled the team could call on a player he described as "really the best cricketer we’ve ever produced".
"We’re looking forward to having him on board and hopefully he can make the difference."
The challenge will start in Nelson next Friday and conclude on Sunday.
North Otago has claimed the Hawke Cup twice before.
It beat Manawatu to win the trophy in 2009-10 and tipped up Buller in 2015-16.
