Brendon McCullum, Hamish Rutherford and Neil Wagner are in Bangladesh with the Black Caps test squad and all-rounders Jimmy Neesham and Nathan McCullum leave for Bangladesh next week to link up with the one-day squad.
Veteran fast bowler James McMillan is being rested, and former Black Cap Jesse Ryder is still serving a six-month ban for taking a prohibited substance. He will become eligible for Otago on October 19.
For Duffy and Rodden, the three-day game is an opportunity to make a positive impression ahead of Otago's opening Plunket Shield match against Wellington at the Basin Reserve beginning on October 27.
With Rutherford promoted to the Black Caps, Neil Broom will move up to open the batting and Ryder is likely to bat at No 4. Duffy probably has first dibs as the back-up opener. He is an aggressive player and has performed well for his club side, Kaikorai.
''He has scored a lot of club runs and we just want to have a wee bit of a look at him in terms of the next step up,'' coach Vaughn Johnson said.
''It is the same with Brad. He has been part of our development programme for the last two years and has scored a lot of club runs.''
Rodden typically plays in the middle order and with more finesse than power.
''He is a worker of the ball ... whereas Ryan is a more aggressive-type of player.''
Johnson said there was also an opportunity for some of the back-up bowlers to step up.
Left-arm seamer Blair Soper took 12 first-class wickets in his debut season, including five for 76 against Wellington. But Johnson said he still had some work to do to cement a spot in the team. Veteran left-armer Bradley Scott is training with the squad but will not be considered for first-class games ''at this stage''.
''In terms of one-day cricket, he is still an option.'
Otago has played a lot of twenty20 cricket in the past six weeks and Johnson said it was important the team used the warm-up game to get back into the rhythm of first-class cricket.'
Kippax doesn't blame you there, Bennett."I've always had faith in my body and never doubted my ability. Unfortunately, I've had a couple of niggles, which have turned into bigger things. Clearly, I don't do things by halves.
"There's a lot less strain on my body, so I can't put a bit more into [the bowling], because the pain isn't there anymore."
Bennett said he wanted to get back to the mindset he had growing up playing cricket with his mates, and helping them win.
"I've got back to when I was a kid watching cricket at Aorangi Oval, and watching a really good Canterbury team. I want to be available for every game and if Canterbury rest me [occasionally] then so be it, but I want to help them win all three titles this season.
"Having the time out really taught me that playing with my close mates shouldn't be taken for granted. Of course, playing for New Zealand is what gets you out of bed, but for me right now, it's not at the front of my mind."
But as the New Zealand team opened a test series against Bangladesh in the sub-continent overnight, Bennett admitted he wanted to wear the black cap once again.
"I still think of my test match debut, and all those times I thought about it while playing cricket growing up, and that's what motivates me.
"I was fortunate enough to play one test and I want to add to that, because it's something you can take to your grave and be proud of."
Bennett is who I am most interested in this domestic season. He only played about 3 LO games last year at the fag end of the season, but gee he looked good IMO. Such an improved smoother action.Cricket: New faces in first Otago team | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News
Bennett bowls back to full fitness | Stuff.co.nz
Kippax doesn't blame you there, Bennett.
Simon Keen isn't a great fit with my taunt as a FIFO opportunist btw, he's fully into his vegan/CrossFit/AA onwards and upwards stuff. Probably could've been recruited onto Heinrich's CD roster.
Not quite taken with Mitchy as yet? Quite apart from his bowling talents, there's not too many kicking about who can lift those around him like he can, not since Nashy's days.I'm bored world cup dream team
1 guptil
2 kane
3 ryder
4 ross
5 baz
6 Latham
7 vettori
8 nmac
9 southee
10 mills
11 mitch/milne
In squad - Rutherford, Munro, Milne, Hira, Watling
Are you talking ODIs?I bracketed Milne and Mitch together as Mitch looked less convincing in England while he looked like a major find in NZ. In searching my feelings maybe I am basing this on the speed gun readings looking strange or the odd pie that he bowled. Still his figures from the series look fine.
Surprised no one followed suit by opening with Kane - really he is a slow starter and the new need is basically to bat for survival in the first 4 overs - his game is better suited to that. And Guptil is capable of going over the top to get us off to a fast enough start in overs 5-10.
I actually reckon the top 5 I named will be as good as any other top 5 in the entire tournament provided that Baz doesn't dissapear like he normally does on the world stage.