KEY POINTS:
Call them underdogs, even gutsy over-achievers, but don't call Otago a bunch of nobodies.
"I must admit I get bloody annoyed when I hear people call us no-names," said Otago coach Mike Hesson on the eve of the State Shield final at Eden Park Outer Oval.
"To be
fair I think it's really unfair some of our guys haven't been given the opportunity to play for New Zealand when you see some of the others who have been tried. I guess all they do tomorrow [today] is just keep doing what they've done for the past five years and hope they get recognised."
Hesson is no doubt referring to the likes of left-arm seamer Bradley Scott and allrounder Aaron Redmond but he will have the services of one player firmly entrenched in the national side. Star keeper-batsman Brendon McCullum will anchor their bid for a first trophy in 20 years.
He played a starring role in their semifinal victory, scoring a relatively sedate 108 not out off 126, the day after he went ballistic in the final one-day international against England, his 77 coming from just 43 balls.
"To turn up last Sunday ... fizzing to go was a testament to the guy and gave the boys a huge lift."
Unfortunately, Auckland went some way to retaining their State Shield crown yesterday as rain bucketed down, soaking the Eden Park Outer Oval.
More rain is forecast today, though the weather should be slightly better than yesterday, and with no reserve day available, Auckland would take the Shield as round-robin winners. Even if the weather is better today, Eden Park would struggle, despite its reputation as one of New Zealand's more effective draining grounds.
"We'll be okay," Hesson said. "I spoke to a couple of elderly gentlemen and they said we'd get a game, so I'll take their word for it.
"It's a bit strange there's no reserve day for a final. It would be a disaster if we play this competition for six weeks and don't get a final at the end of it."
* TEAMS
Auckland (from): Richard Jones (c), Martin Guptill, Paul Hitchcock, Rob Nicol, Scott Styris, Colin de Grandhomme, David Houpapa, Gareth Hopkins, Kyle Mills, Roneel Hira, Andy McKay, Chris Martin.
Otago (from): Craig Cumming (c), Brendon McCullum, Aaron Redmond, Greg Todd, Neil Broom, Alex Gidman, Nathan McCullum, Derek de Boorder, Warren McSkimming, Bradley Scott, James McMillan, Marcel McKenzie, Craig Smith.
Eden Park Outer Oval, 10.30am.
