Cricket: Otago side set off on Indian adventure

The Otago cricket team left Dunedin yesterday on the first leg of their trip to India with little fanfare.

For anyone watching, there was no obvious sign the team were about to depart on their biggest adventure.

The US$6 million ($8.3 million) Champions League Twenty/20 tournament is probably the biggest - and unquestionably the richest - sports event to which an Otago team have been invited, and it provides an unprecedented opportunity for the players to perform on the world stage.

"It's huge and there is no doubt everyone is excited," Otago coach Mike Hesson said. "They've been excited the last couple of weeks and it is just great to get on the road."

The team were bound for Brisbane yesterday where they will play a series of warm-up games, before heading to India on October 2 to complete their preparation with games against the Deccan Chargers and Somerset.

The Volts open their campaign against South Africa's Cape Cobras on October 10.

"I see the Cape Cobras have been confirmed the favourites and Bangalore are third at the moment, so we have a couple of big games in our pool," Hesson said.

Otago play the Bangalore Royal Challengers on October 12 in their second and final pool match. One win from the two games could be enough for them to reach the final eight.

The team go into the tournament as outsiders.

"Hopefully, we do show that we have a lot more to offer than some think," said Hesson.

Otago captain Craig Cumming believes his side have prepared well and he is not discouraged by the tough draw.

"If we can do everyone a favour by knocking one of those teams out, then when we go through to the next round it will only get easier for us."

Cumming said the high level of support from the community had been "brilliant" and had helped to motivate the team.

"We go away knowing there is a huge amount of support in Otago and Southland and we want to make sure we represent those people with pride and passion."

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES