A Black Caps laden Northern Districts team will take the field in the first game of the domestic season.

Six contracted Black Caps will feature in the first round of the Plunket Shield at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui this week, including the two ND debutants Neil Wagner and Colin De Grandhomme.

Head Coach John Bracewell thinks it is great for the domestic game and is looking forward to seeing what the Black Caps will bring to the team.

'It's a great opportunity for everyone to see most of our Black Caps in the first game of the season. This is a very rare chance to see the country's best players in domestic cricket, and give the best of the rest a chance to measure and compare.”

All available Black Caps have been selected in the 12 except for Tim Southee who will miss the match with a right knee medial meniscus irritation.

Bracewell is hopeful that he will be back at full strength for round 2.

'Tim was really keen to get back on the park for Northern Districts, but unfortunately he has run out of time to be fit for this first game. It's very much precautionary and we're hopeful he'll be back for next week's second round match against Canterbury.”

Round 1 of the Plunket Shield starts at 10.30am tomorrow at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui and is free entry.

Northern Districts Team to Play Otago Volts:

Daniel Flynn (c) (Bay of Plenty)

James Baker (Hamilton)

Trent Boult (Bay of Plenty)

Dean Brownlie (Bay of Plenty)

Henry Cooper (Northland)

Colin De Grandhomme (Bay of Plenty)

Nick Kelly (Counties Manukau)

Daryl Mitchell (Hamilton)

Ish Sodhi (Counties Manukau)

Neil Wagner (Bay of Plenty)

BJ Watling (Hamilton)

Kane Williamson (Bay of Plenty)