Cricket: No national reps a big blow for Otago

One of the flaws of the central contracts system was highlighted when Otago failed to get a name on the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) list.

This failure means Otago are effectively hamstrung in its efforts to develop young players for the 2006-07 season.

Otago were the big losers despite being unlucky to miss the State Shield and State Championship finals last season. Northern Districts players filled two of the spots, Wellington three and Auckland, Central Districts and Canterbury five each.

"On the face of it, you'd think that would mean we deserve at least one or more players but it doesn't necessarily work that way," Otago Cricket chief executive Ross Dykes said.

"It's never going to be an even playing field and we all know that. And it gets less even when you get down where we are."

Their only 2005-06 contracted player, Craig Cumming, was left off this year's list and no other Otago-ites have managed to sway the selectors with their cricketing charms.

Dykes, a former first-class wicketkeeper and national selector, believed wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins was unlucky to miss the cut.

"You don't know their thinking but he's definitely the second-best wicketkeeper in the country," Dykes said. "I always feel sorry for wicketkeepers in situations like when there's only one in 20."

Michael Papps would be the most likely contender among contracted players to take over the gloves should an injury befall Brendon McCullum.

Dykes admitted having no representation on the national list made it harder to bring through new talent.

"It does. Central Districts has five players in when they only had one last year. What that means is that beyond those five, they can contract another 12. That effectively gives them the chance to give some young, developing players the chance to earn some money, where we have to stick to our top 11 and 12. It's a disadvantage and it does make life difficult for us, no question."