Do not look any further, though. The win-loss ratio and points table is mostly a glass-half-empty experience. Peruse with caution.
But among some rather unflattering information is a little gem — Otago boasts the second most successful bowling unit in the competition.
To pick up 33 bowling bonus points from a maximum of 36 is a decent achievement. In first-class cricket, your chances of success improve markedly if you have an attack that can take 20 wickets regularly.
It has been an area of weakness for Otago teams in the past but not this season. The Volts have a young attack which is on the rise. Michael Rae fits neatly into that category. The 22-year-old has had a breakthrough season, taking 26 wickets at an average of 24.73.
He is the 12th leading wicket-taker in the competition, which is one place lower than Black Cap Lockie Ferguson and one spot better than team-mate Neil Wagner, who has 147 test wickets to his name.
"I’ve been in the environment for four seasons now ... and I definitely feel like I’m more of an important cog than I have been," Rae said.
A strapping lad, Rae measures in at a "tad under 2m". He bowls with good pace and extracts extra bounce. The right-armer’s stock ball is just back of a length and he brings plenty of energy to his bowling stints. His role in the side is similar to what we see from Wagner at test level.
"The biggest thing for me is to keep running in and hitting the deck hard for as long as possible."
His best performance came against Wellington, when he picked up five for 18 in a stunning eight-over stint. It turned the match but unfortunately another disappointing batting display saw Otago fall 19 runs short of what would have been a tremendous victory. Rae is just one of about half a dozen young seamers all competing for game time.
Matt Bacon made his first-class debut for Otago last week and claimed five wickets for 43 runs in the match.
Warren Barnes made his maiden first-class appearance earlier in the season and showed promise with match figures of six for 66.
Jack Hunter was Otago’s leading one-day bowler this season with 12 wickets at 22.75, while Nathan Smith is another player vying for opportunities.
Then there is Jacob Duffy. He seems to have been around forever but is actually just 23 and has been the best of the Otago bowlers with 29 first-class wickets at 23.62, including three five-wicket bags this season.
He looks like he is back to himself after taking time out last season to work on his action. Rae is in no doubt the competition for places helped inspire him to press harder.
"When you look at our side we probably have the most seam bowling depth in the country.
"It can be difficult to get starting spots ... but we all fed off each other. It is great having that competitive mindset and we all drive each other to more success."
The Otago team for this week’s game at University Oval in Dunedin has not changed much from the side which dismantled Auckland last week.
It retains the same 12-player squad, although has added another bowler in Warren Barnes.
Plunket Shield
Otago v Canterbury
University Oval, 10.30am today
Otago: Rob Nicol (c), Matt Bacon, Neil Broom, Derek de Boorder, Jacob Duffy, Anaru Kitchen, Jimmy Neesham, Michael Rae, Michael Rippon, Hamish Rutherford, Nathan Smith, Brad Wilson, Warren Barnes.
Canterbury: Chad Bowes, Michael Davidson, Ken McClure, Jeff Case, Cole McConchie, Andrew Ellis, Cameron Fletcher, Kyle Jamieson, Will Williams, Theo van Workom, Andrew Hazeldine, Blake Coburn.
