Coach Rob Walter has resisted tinkering with the line-up despite a couple of disappointing results.
The Volts started the one-day tournament with two wins but have lost their last three games and have slipped out of the top four.
The three-wicket loss to Wellington at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday was a game the visitors really should have won.
Wellington was 181 for seven. With 11 overs and change remaining, the target of 273 seemed out of reach. But tailenders Peter Younghusband (52 not out) and Ollie Newton (35 not out) put on a Wellington record eighth-wicket partnership against Otago with 92 from 54 balls to clinch victory.
Otago’s inability to strike in the last 10 overs must be a concern but it was the running between the wickets where the side really let itself down.
There were some good signs, though. Struggling all-rounder Jimmy Neesham scored runs again. He was ineffective at the death with the ball and was responsible for the most terrible runout you will see. But he has scored consecutive half centuries and can draw from that confidence.
Jack Hunter grabbed three wickets and Neil Wagner, who has really struggled with the white ball this season, picked up his first wicket in the tournament.
Wagner would not be happy about being relegated to first-change, though. It would be just like him to produce a fiery spell in response. The makeup of the Central Districts team was unavailable late yesterday but the competition leaders will probably not make too many changes to the side that beat Canterbury by two wickets earlier this week.
Otago v CD
Invercargill, tomorrow, 11am
Otago: Rob Nicol (captain), Hamish Rutherford, Shawn Hicks, Neil Broom, Derek de Boorder, James Neesham, Michael Rippon, Mark Craig, Neil Wagner, Matt Bacon, Jack Hunter, Michael Rae.
Central Districts (possible): George Worker, Ben Smith, Jesse Ryder, Will Young, Dane Cleaver, Josh Clarkson, Christian Leopard, Adam Milne, Ryan McCone, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Navin Patel.
