NZ v SL 2nd Test Preview

Rule No.1 in test cricket betting is the draw is usually too short.

Rule No.2 is always be on the lookout for exceptions to Rule No.1

The second test starting in Wellington tomorrow could well fall into the category of Rule No.2, for two reasons:

1. WEATHER

Long-range weather forecasts are not exactly reliable but my reading from latest reports is there COULD be major interruptions to play on Sunday (Day 3) and Tuesday (Day 5). Also factor in the Basin Reserve does not exactly have the best drainage systems in the world and there is a reasonable probability of significant play lost. For two teams that couldn't last 3 days at Christchurch it might not matter, which brings us to ...

2. PITCH

From the NZ Herald today:

Tomorrow's offering at the Basin Reserve was yesterday looking unusually dry, so there is still a chance that Vettori will receive the sort of bowling spells he wants and that the seamers won't have it all their own way.

Curator Matt Sipthorpe, in contrast to Jade Stadium groundsman Chris Lewis, said the test strip would probably settle down quickly after providing some initial assistance and suggested the captain who won the toss should bat first.

"It's a lot harder than previous ones this season," said Sipthorpe, who was overseeing his first test pitch. "Because it has virtually had an uninterrupted preparation, we've been able to monitor moisture levels closely and are expecting no problems.

"We're probably a day ahead of our preparations but you've got to be like that with the Wellington weather. You just can't take any risks because it's so easy to get caught out."

With fine weather in the week leading up to the test, this confirms my suspicions that a seamer's paradise is not in store for this match. A good batting strip, plus probable weather interruptions - I'm on the draw pregame. Certainly I wouldn't be going against it.