Nervous Bool backing Oval strip

Hagley Oval groundsman Rupert Bool would hate for Sri Lanka and New Zealand to play out a boring draw at the Boxing Day test and he’s predicting his wicket will keep its 100 per cent result record.

Bool said it wasn’t really his place to predict match results, though said his pitch, ‘‘strip three’’ would offer pace, bounce and a bit of help for hard-working quicks.

Hagley is far from a minefield, and batsmen who get themselves in have prospered and can score runs quickly. But all six first-class matches at the developed oval have led to results.

‘‘That’s something we’re quite proud of,’’ Bool said. ‘‘We’re on track at the moment and all the signs are good that this will be a good pitch.’’

This is his first time in charge of preparing a test wicket and he admitted nerves were playing a big part. ‘‘I’m quietly packing myself.’’

If the test pitch is anything like the first-class wickets he and his team prepare, he needn’t worry.

In their short time in use – since February last year – Hagley pitches have played well and produced even contests between bat and ball.

‘‘That’s what it’s about for us. We want a fair pitch for batsmen, but bowlers who bend their back can still get something out of it.’’

The bounce will help spinners too, and Bool said if the pitch was exposed to a few days of heat throughout the test it could also start to break up a little.

Dunedin’s University Oval has produced three draws in its past three tests and you have to go back to 2009 for the last result in a South Island test.

Bool said he had no instruction from above on what to produce, but his deck would hopefully produce the type of test cricket to attract crowds.

‘‘Everyone wants a result, don’t they, excitement, wickets, quality strokeplay. Hopefully that’s what we’ll have here.’’