Otago will go into next week's opening State Championship match against Central Districts in Wanganui without having had any cricket on grass pitches.

It's not a new problem for the southernmost inhabitants of the cricket world, but in previous years they have had the chance to play at the High Performance Centre at Lincoln University, or have gone to better climates in their own area, at Alexandra or Oamaru, to prepare.

But the industrial situation of the last six weeks has prevented that happening.

And with that comes another concern for coach Glenn Turner. His bowlers have not been able to get the gradual build-up to prepare for first-class play and that leaves them exposed to the prospect of injuries.

In the lead-up to the first match, Turner will be looking to have two sessions for his bowlers, hopefully on grass practice strips behind Carisbrook, to get them into condition to be able to handle 20 overs a day.

Despite that, hopes are high that Otago can be a much more competitive unit this year and there is mounting interest in just how much the return of Jeff Wilson and Shayne O'Connor can help the side this summer.

Wilson is injured at the moment and is unable to bowl, but there could be a temptation for Otago's selectors to play him solely as a batsman in the first match. O'Connor didn't bowl a ball in anger last year in New Zealand after suffering an injury in the first Test against Australia at the Gabba.

Having sharpened his bowling in Africa on the previous tour, O'Connor was bowling as effectively as he had at any earlier stage of his career and it will be interesting to see if he can regain that touch this summer.

Brendon McCullum is another who could provide a useful spark for the side. He has been playing in Australia, and getting specialised coaching for his wicket-keeping, and it would seem that he is keen to resume that role in his career.

Should he be able to play anywhere near his maximum behind the stumps, while also getting runs aplenty in front of them, McCullum could yet be the answer at wicket-keeper that New Zealand is looking for.

Younger players too, could be set to make their mark. Jordan Sheed and James McMillan have been part of the Academy programme this year. McMillan bowled well for the side last year and Turner is looking for him to build on that this year.

Potentially, it is shaping as a more competitive Otago side than has been seen for some seasons, in both four-day and one-day play.

© CricInfo