Basin pitch should offers bowlers ‘plenty’

Black Caps coach Gary Stead predicts some bowling fireworks when the Basin Reserve covers are finally peeled back for the second cricket test.

Heavy rain in Wellington saw day one abandoned without a ball bowled yesterday, and the MetService forecast predicts more interruptions today.

When it finally clears the tosswinning captain is certain to bowl first, and Stead predicts a torrid time for either the New Zealand or Bangladesh top order. Batting conditions will be even tougher with the pitch having been under cover for so long.

‘‘It looked a pretty green wicket, really well grassed. My view is it is likely to be on the slow side early on and hopefully some sun and wind gets on it, then it might speed up and flatten out a wee bit,’’ the coach said.

‘‘I’d imagine there will be plenty in it for the bowling team for certainly the first two days, maybe even longer.’’

That’s in stark contrast to last time at the Basin in December when the test strip was bereft of moisture. New Zealand opener Tom Latham set the tone with 264 not out then Sri Lankan pair Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis batted through a wicketless fourth day on the way to a draw.

The previous four Basin tests were all won by the side bowling first. Given today’s forecast a potential three-anda-half day test is in store.