Otago Country cricket team
{{short description|New Zealand cricket team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox cricket team
|name = Otago Country cricket team
|image =
|captain =
|coach =
|founded = 1946
|ground = Molyneux Park, Alexandra
|capacity =
|owner = Otago Country Cricket Association
| title1 = Hawke Cup
| title1wins = 2
| title2 =
| title2wins =
|website = [http://www.otagocountrycricket.co.nz Otago Country Cricket]
}}
The Otago Country cricket team represents the Central Otago and South Otago regions of New Zealand. It is one of the 21 teams from around New Zealand that compete in the Hawke Cup. Its parent organisation is the Otago Country Cricket Association, which is based in Alexandra.
Central Otago
The Central Otago Cricket Association was formed in 1946.{{cite web |url = http://www.otagocountrycricket.co.nz/news/archives/07-2018 | title = Newsletter #17 May 2018 | publisher = Otago Country Cricket Association | access-date =16 February 2022}} It achieved Minor Association status with the New Zealand Cricket Council in 1956.{{cite journal|title=Winter cricket Coaching|journal=Press|date=5 July 1956|page= 7|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19560705.2.36.6}} Central Otago competed in the Hawke Cup from 1963 to 2006.{{cite web | url-access=subscription |url = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Teams/4/4566/Hawke_Cup_Matches.html| title = Hawke Cup Matches played by Central Otago| publisher = CricketArchive| access-date =16 February 2022}} They won the title once, when, captained by Ken McKnight, they defeated Taranaki in January 1996, Richard Hoskin scoring 74 and 162 and Shayne O'Connor taking eight wickets.{{cite web | url-access=subscription |url = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/123/123739.html| title = Taranaki v Central Otago 1995-96| publisher = CricketArchive| access-date =16 February 2022}}
Otago Country
In the early 2000s the Central Otago Cricket Association was renamed the Otago Country Cricket Association. It used to be made up of five sub-associations: Maniototo, South Otago, East Otago, West Otago and the Vincent Cricket Association. Now there are two: Central Otago and South Otago.{{cite news| work=Otago Daily Times | first=Adrian |last=Seconi |access-date=16 February 2022| title=Hopes junior growth will flow through|url= https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/cricket/hopes-junior-growth-will-flow-through|date=3 November 2016}}
Otago Country have won the Hawke Cup once. Captained by Brendan Domigan, they defeated North Otago in January 2011.{{cite web | url-access=subscription |url = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/345/345901.html | title = North Otago v Otago Country 2010-11| publisher = CricketArchive| access-date =16 February 2022}}