By TERRY MADDAFORD
Coach Glenn Turner is keen to see his unheralded side continue in the same vein as they finished last season.
"We won our last two matches outright including the one against Wellington who needed to win to take the championship," said Turner.
"It is going to be more difficult
this time, however, as we have lost our opening bowlers."
With Kerry Walmsley and Shayne O'Connor gone, Turner will look to James McMillan (when he recovers from injury), Warren McSkimming and David Sewell to spearhead the attack.
"I also hope we can get more from Jeff Wilson," said Turner.
"He was troubled by injury at times last season but seems to be fully fit now."
While many teams have struggled for a decent pre-season build-up, Otago have had 10 days on grass in Dunedin and a week at the academy in Christchurch.
"We have been fortunate in having a new ground at the University Oval," said Turner.
"It has given us some good cricket. We know it is going to be a difficult season but if we can get our bowling and middle-order [batting] right we should be okay."
When he returns from the one-day series in Pakistan, Craig Cumming will captain the side with Robbie Lawson as his deputy.
IN: Gareth Hopkins (from Canterbury).
OUT: Kerry Walmsley (to Auckland), Shayne O'Connor (retired), Brendon McCullum (to Canterbury), Peter McGlashan (unavailable).
SQUAD: Craig Cumming, Robbie Lawson, Mohammad Wasim, Chris Gaffaney, Jordan Sheed, Marcel McKenzie, Hopkins, Warren McSkimming, James McMillan, Jeff Wilson, David Sewell, Nathan Morland, Neil Rushton, Bradley Scott.
COACH: Glenn Turner
