With each domestic cricket preview, I'll make a wee video to go with it for Patreon. We''ll be getting knee deep in domestic cricket this summer and there will be some bonus, exclusive stuff on Patreon as well. All you gotta do is sign up for $1 a month and tu meke.

Here's the link for the Otago Volts video preview.

Opposition teams will be weary when lacing up against Otago Volts over the next few weeks. Blackcaps coach Mike Hesson has sent Jimmy Neesham and Neil Broom back to domestic cricket with the sole purpose of dominating, demanded further Blackcaps opportunities this summer and while we can all debate their international abilities, they are both nothing but domestic bullies.

There's a bit of a cricketing No Man's Land here when you ponder whether is good enough at both batting and bowling in international cricket to hold down an all-rounder's spot, or to selected as a batsman or bowler. I've also highlighted how Broom tends to score most of his ODI runs against Bangladesh, without the same success against stronger nations. Neesham's got room for improvement though and Broom definitely won't be at the next World Cup, but both haven't quite shown enough to demand consistent Blackcaps selection. They have both consistently shown that they can dominate domestic cricket though and with a point to prove, expect some shenanigans.

(Consistent selection hasn't been a hallmark of Lesson's rein, so players can do everything to demand consistent selection and still not be rewarded with that)

Adding to this situation is Essex legend and century-hitting night-watchman Neil Wagner, who is more than capable of playing international cricket in any format. But Wagner's pigeon-holed as a Test cricketer and Test cricket being shot to death by NZC, Wagner will be available for the majority of the domestic summer for Otago.

I prefer to attack these previews from the domestic contracts perspective, but this Otago situation with Neesham, Broom and Wagner is super funky. Here are three blokes who are too good to be playing this much domestic cricket; Wagner's in the messed up Test cricket situation while Neesham and Broom are too good for domestic cricket, not good enough for international cricket. That's not good news for other domestic teams, especially when Neesham and Broom have a chip on their shoulders and Wagner, well he's Neil Wagner (best kiwi bowler at the mo).

Wagner's also going to have to play a leadership role with Otago's seamers as the Volts are set to unleash a young bowling attack that is on par with the likes of Canterbury's (Jamieson/Nuttall) and Central District's (Wheeler/Bracewell/Tickner). Again, get among this young kiwi cricket wave because it's legit and who emerges from Otago's pack of Warren Barnes, Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith will be a fun narrative to follow. Jack Hunter is also in the mix here, but with Wagner set to play much of the PS season along with Neesham's seamers and the low key lethal seam of Christi Viljoen, there aren't too many spots available.

Hunter averaged 29.14 in five games last season, while Smith averaged 26.28 in four games. There wasn't much action from Duffy via injury, but Duffy led all wicket-takers in the 2014/15 season with 45 wickets @ 24.06avg/2.89rpo as a youngin' and if he can stack up the overs this season, it'll be interesting to see how his campaign pans out. Barnes hasn't had too many PS opportunities and has gained most of his game time in T20/Ford Trophy cricket (28avg/4.80rpo in FT).

That's four blokes young seamers who could all very easily be playing consistent PS cricket, competing for one, maybe two spots. I've got Duffy leading the group and I'm intrigued by how he bounces back this season, while the hostility of Barnes has him slightly ahead of Smith's accurate nibblers, then Hunter. If Otago roll out Barnes and Wagner, they'll have two super fiery South African seamers and that won't be a jolly ol' time for opposition batsmen.

Otago are stacked with all-rounders; Neesham and Viljoen will both feature in the bowling attack, while also batting in the top-seven, Mark Craig is the leading spinner and a slick domestic batsman, then you have Rob Nicol and Anaru Kitchen who can do a job with their tweakers and bat in the top-five. But wait! Josh Finnie is one of the best young batsmen in the country and his offies are good enough to make him a legit bowling option as he bowled in his last five FT games. Otago have also signed Shawn Hicks who is a genuine all-rounder, although he'll be waiting for an opportunity.

Opening batsmen Hamish Rutherford and Brad Wilson join wicket-keeper Derek de Boorder in being the odd jokers who won't bowl. Safe to say that I'm frothing to see how Otago line up for each game and which seamers specifically rise to the top of this group.

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