Wanganui cricket import Christi Viljoen failed to make the final 12 for the Otago Volts Plunket Shield match against Northern Districts yesterday.
The 27-year-old Namibian international was sent south by Active Physio Wanganui coach Rod Bannister after the Otago Volts had shown interest in the fast bowler.
Viljoen was inthe wider squad for Otago and despite selectors leaving it until less than an hour before the start of yesterday's match to name a team, he missed out, because of the pitch to be used for the match.
Bannister said Viljoen, however, would stay with the group for the duration.
"Otago Volts apologised for leaving it until the last minute before naming the team, but eventually went with two spinners because of the dry track. They have invited Christi to stay on with the wider group for the duration, though, so he's got a half sniff," Bannister said yesterday.
Bannister, who has hosted Viljoen since organising for him to move from Christchurch to play local club cricket, said the fast bowler had impressed Black Caps coach Mike Hesson, an Otago man, at a training session to help the New Zealand team two weeks ago.
After sending out video footage of him in action, the Volts and the Wellington Firebirds expressed interest.
Viljoen leaves New Zealand on April 16 to resume his contract with the Blackpool club in Lancashire.
