The Australian influence in Otago cricket continues to grow with the inclusion of 'sandgroper' Nick Morrison in the association's Under-19 squad.

The Western Australian was born in New Zealand but has lived most of his life in Perth. He intends to study at Otago University next year.

Standing at almost two metres tall, Morrison is a left-handed top-order batsman and right-arm part-time bowler with the ability to generate significant pace. He played for the Western Australian Under-17 team last summer and at just 17 himself has another season at Under-19 level.

Four of last year's team return with Jordan Sheed, Matt Adair, Alistair Collie and Jarrad Waldron back in harness. And there is also a good representation from last summer's Otago Under-17 team with Henry Bates, Stephen Brown, Eric Standfield and Nic Turner making the step up.

The squad will be trimmed by one after the mid-December match against the Otago Under-22 selection with the three-day match against Canterbury in Oamaru just before Christmas signalling the beginning of the tournament.

Otago then plays Auckland in Auckland in another three-dayer starting on December 27 with one-day games against Central Districts, Wellington and Northern Districts rounding out the series.

The squad is: Jordan Sheed (captain, Dunedin), Matt Adair (Central Otago), Henry Bates (Dunedin), Stephen Brown (Dunedin), Alistair Collie (Dunedin), Mathew Harvie (Dunedin), Simon Murley (Dunedin), Michael Ross (Dunedin), Eric Standfield (Central Otago), Nic Turner (Southland), Jarrad Waldron (Dunedin), Nick Morrison (Western Australia), Tim Geeves (North Otago). Coach: Mike Hesson, manager: George Morris.

© CricInfo