The Volts resume their 50-over campaign with a home game against Northern Districts today.
While the Northerners are cock-a-hoop after winning the domestic T20 final, Otago’s players have had a couple of extra days to recharge after falling short in the small format.
"It was disappointing in the sense we just missed out on the Super Smash finals, but it was a good opportunity to refresh, and we’ve since had a couple of good trainings in preparation for the next part of the season," Tasman-Jones said yesterday.
"Vibes are pretty high, which is always pleasing."
Tasman-Jones felt there were some positives to come out of the Super Smash campaign.
"Obviously the competition was so close, and maybe there were a couple of key moments where we could have done a bit better, and that could have changed a couple of results.
"We had contributions across the board, and what we’ve been talking about is that we need those contributions to be at the next level, which is match-winning contributions.
"There’s definitely a sense that we’re not far away. It’s just a bit of that finishing polish that we need."
Otago made a rough start to the first half of the one-day competition.
They started with four consecutive losses, then had a match abandoned due to the weather.
Tasman-Jones felt his troops bowled and fielded well, and got themselves into positions to win games, but more runs were needed.
"It’s about seeing if we can find that next level of performance with the bat."
Otago captain Luke Georgeson returns to the side after recovering from a side strain.
Strike bowler Jarrod McKay is also back in the squad and will be keen to maintain his one-day form from the first half of the summer.
Opening batter Jacob Cumming will get a chance to play his first List A game in nearly two years, and Tasman-Jones said the talented left-hander deserved his spot.
"He’s having a bit of a breakout year and he’s being rewarded for a couple of good performances in the Super Smash and some really strong Plunket Shield form as well.
"It will be exciting to see him up the top of the order.
"We’ve challenged Jacob a lot around things like his attention to detail in training, and he’s stood up every time.
"His quality and his technique has always been there — since he was able to walk, basically — and now that promise is starting to come through.
"We’re asking our boys to be match-winners, and we definitely feel he’s capable of it, and confidence is an amazing thing. He’s just growing in stature, and that comes down to the work he’s putting in."
There is no Joe Carter for Northern, while star opening batter Tim Seifert is with the Black Caps getting ready for the T20 World Cup.
The Knights won just one of their Ford Trophy games before the break, so will be equally keen to get on track today.
Ford Trophy
University Oval, today
Otago Volts: Luke Georgeson (captain), Jamal Todd, Jacob Cumming, Jack Boyle, Max Chu, Troy Johnson, Jake Gibson, Ben Lockrose, Matt Bacon, Danru Ferns, Jarrod McKay, Zac Cumming.
Northern Knights: Robbie O’Donnell (captain), Xavier Bell, Ben Pomare, Henry Cooper, Brett Hampton, Tim Pringle, Katene Clarke, Scott Kuggeleijn, Fergus Lellman, Zak Gibson, Josh Brown, Cooper Rowell.
