Convener of the Canterbury selection panel Brian McKechnie said last night that deciding between Hopkins and Ben Yock had caused heartache.
``The wicketkeeping position was one we as selectors agonised over for a long time, in fact up to the last day.''
The retirement of former New Zealand captain and wicketkeeper Lee Germon left an opening behind the stumps, which both Hopkins, blocked by Robbie Hart at Northern Districts, and the pugnacious Old Boys 'keeper Yock, wanted to close. The better batting credentials of Hopkins swung the balance his way.
If the debate over the wicketkeepers took the longest, the selection of the 13-man squad occupied considerable time.
``This has been the hardest team to pick quite frankly since I've been involved in selections,'' McKechnie said.
``Some guys have been desperately unlucky not to make it, particularly the likes of Carl Anderson and Ben Yock. I feel sorry for the likes of Yocky.''
McKechnie said that most of the players had picked themselves by achievements in club cricket and the Max version. Batting ultimately determined the tight decisions between Hopkins and Yock and the spinners, former Aucklander Hamish Barton and East-Shirley left-armer Anderson.
Canterbury knows it will lose gifted all-rounder Chris Harris to the New Zealand one-day team and has concentrated on ensuring a depth of talent in its batting.
The consistent batting form of Old Collegians' Tim Walton earned him a place, ahead of another England import Aftab Habib.
The squad is for the first three games.
The teams:
Canterbury Shell Cup squad: Gary Stead (captain), Craig Cumming, Llorne Howell, Brad Doody, Chris Harris, Mark Hastings, Gareth Hopkins, Warren Wisneski, Mark Priest, Shane Bond, Hamish Barton, Chris Martin.
Canterbury second XI squad: Scott Pawson (captain), Michael Papps, James Barrett, Robert Frew, Marcel McKenzie, Darron Reekers, Carl Anderson, Ben Yock, Ryan Burson, Darren Walker, Stephen Cunis, Wade Cornelius, Harley James.
The Otago team to play Canterbury in the first round Shell Cup match at Jade Stadium (Lancaster Park) on December 28 is:
Robbie Lawson (captain), Chris Gaffaney, Mark Richardson, Stephen Mather, Michael Lamont, Andrew Hore, Martyn Croy, Aaron Gale, Nathan Morland, Glenn Jonas, Shayne O'Connor, Mark Billcliff.