Ten reasons to follow the Plunket Shield

Never mind that it's only because New Zealand Cricket were unable to secure a new sponsor after State Insurance pulled the pin. After sitting idle for 35 years, the fabled century-old log of wood is to be dusted off and presented to the winners of this year's four-day competition. Second only in prestige and mystique to the Ranfurly Shield, it's a prize that will be dearly coveted by all teams and adds much intrigue to this year's fixtures. The defending champions? Otago, whose then-captain Glenn Turner was the last man to hold the shield aloft at the end of the 1974/75 season.