Another rookie will join Otago's inexperienced top order, as coach Rob Walter embraces the opportunity to blood some new players at the end of a disappointing season.
Albion's Josh Tasman-Jones is the latest player to be drafted. The right-hander comes in as a replacement for all-rounder Michael Rippon and will make his first-class debut against Northern Districts at the University Oval today.
Rippon, who has been struggling with a back complaint, could have played as a specialist batsman.
But with Otago in last place and having little to play for other than pride, Walter felt the time was right to have a look at Tasman-Jones.
''If you are not going to play them now, when will you give them a go?'' he said.
''There is nothing to lose.''
Tasman-Jones scored two half-centuries in the National Provincial A tournament. He also scored an undefeated 62 to help Otago A beat Canterbury Country in a development game at the University Oval last month, and flayed 153 from 145 deliveries during the regional final of the national club cricket tournament at Tonga Park earlier that month.
He will join a top order light on experience. Last week Green Island top order player Gregor Croudis made his debut.
He batted at first drop then, but will open alongside the captain Brad Wilson. Tasman-Jones is expected to bat at No3.
Sean Eathorne will bat at No4, and while he made his first-class debut 12 years ago, he has only played 10 first-class games.
Wilson boosts the experience levels, though. He will be playing in his 98th first-class match.
Since joining Otago at the start of last season, Wilson has scored 1527 runs at an average of 46.27, including five 100s.
He is a key player in the batting line-up but Otago does have some depth further down the order in Derek de Boorder and Anaru Kitchen.
Kitchen has three hundreds this season and is averaging more than 50, while de Boorder has made some valuable contributions.
Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham was remaining with the New Zealand test team and was not available for selection, which was disappointing for Otago.
Northern Districts has stuck with the side which beat Wellington by nine wickets in Mount Maunganui last week.
Northern is in third place with 87 points. It trails competition leader Canterbury by 14 points but, with a maximum of 20 points still available, Northern can still win the title.
Auckland is in contention as well, with 93 points. It will travel to Napier to play Central Districts, while Canterbury will host Wellington at Hagley Oval.
