For anyone who endured niggly adversity during the pandemic, allow Dean Foxcroft to serve as low key inspiration. The yarn goes that Foxcroft was locked out of Aotearoa during the pandemic and despite his love for Aotearoa, even his desire to represent Aotearoa, Foxcroft was forced to hibernate overseas as domestic cricket summers drifted past.

On the last morning of 2022, Foxcroft is 1st for Super Smash wickets and 2nd for runs. Foxcroft has 129 runs @ 43avg/119.44sr as well 8w @ 7.5avg/5rpo. With Michael Rippon scoring 70 runs @ 101.44sr, Foxcroft is Otago's only top-order batter who has scored 50+ runs and along with seamer Michael Rae (6w @ 6.33avg/6.51rpo), they are the only Otago bowlers with 4+ wickets.

This is funky because Foxcroft was emerging as one of the best young cricketers in Aotearoa before the pandemic. Foxcroft is 24-years-old and he averages 40+ in List-A and T20 batting, while averaging below 25 in First-Class and T20 bowling. The Super Smash stuff comes after scoring just 12 runs @ 4avg in Ford Trophy and not bowling. Foxcroft was solid in Plunket Shield with 239 runs @ 34.14avg and 3w @ 26.33avg/3.95rpo.

Otago's batting line up will be boosted if/when Dale Phillips returns. Jacob Duffy, Matthew Bacon and Michael Rippon have 1w between them, plus all three are conceding over 7rpo. Foxcroft has plugged these holes with bat and ball, which ideally continues as Otago's squad find form.

Mark Chapman has lost form, anyone seen the ol' mate Formy?

• Ford Trophy: 83 runs @ 13.83avg/84.69sr

• Super Smash: 6 runs @ 3avg/66.66sr

Auckland have deployed Netherlands batter Max O'Dowd as an opener. This sparked some intrigue about the lads who played for Netherlands at the T20 World Cup and are now playing Super Smash. Tim Pringle plays this afternoon for Northern vs Central, Logan van Beek is in action tomorrow against Canterbury and O'Dowd's next game is on Monday vs Otago.

Max O'Dowd

T20 World Cup: 242 runs @ 34.57avg/112.55sr

Super Smash: 5 runs @ 2.5avg/50sr

Logan van Beek

T20 World Cup: 3w @ 41.66avg/7.65rpo

Super Smash: 2w @ 38avg/9.5rpo

Tim Pringle

T20 World Cup: 3w @ 34avg/6rpo

Super Smash: 2w @ 19.5avg/5.57rpo

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