Cricket: Wellington's wind set to test Australian bowlers

Both sides will complete their first cricket test preparations today, with New Zealand hoping the Wellington gale continues to help throw the Australian pacemen off their stride.

The Basin Reserve, venue for tomorrow's opening match of the two-test series, was buffeted by a strong southerly yesterday as New Zealand trained, while Australia's scheduled morning session was forced indoors due to rain.

The tourists will likely front with a similar pace attack to the one-day series, with Doug Bollinger, Clint McKay and Mitchell Johnson and backup from Shane Watson. Ryan Harris looked a chance to gain a test debut on his ODI form but he was placed in doubt yesterday with a side strain, meaning South Australia's Peter George was summoned across the Tasman as cover.

Left-armers Bollinger and Johnson -- the latter likely to be again used first change -- loom as the dangermen for New Zealand's inexperienced top-three of Tim McIntosh, BJ Watling and Peter Ingram at a Basin Reserve pitch forecast to have pace and bounce.

New ball pair Bollinger and McKay perhaps don't offer the fear factor of Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee from previous tours, a fact noted by key New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor.

"Both guys are good bowlers and we've got inexperience up the top of our order. Is it a weak link? Yes it probably is, but any Australian team is going to be tough," he said.

"Any Australian side like to use their bouncers and if the practice wickets are anything to go by, the wicket will have a bit of bounce. We're expecting that. Quite often you play the short ball okay, but it's what comes after the short ball you've got to be wary of."

Bowling coach Shane Jurgensen admitted it was in New Zealand's favour that the touring pacemen had as little time as possible to adjust to the Wellington wind this week.

"It'll be different for them, because it is quite a strong wind and it does gust. It's not consistent, one moment it's quiet and next minute it hurtles through."

New Zealand are yet to decide their bowling makeup, having already flagged captain Daniel Vettori batting at No 6 so they can play five specialist bowlers. Wellington spinner Jeetan Patel appeared the frontrunner but a quicker surface could see Northern Districts' Brent Arnel loom into contention.

Jurgensen offered no insight on that front yesterday as he said all the bowlers would be required to share the into the wind load.

"Daryl (Tuffey) has done a bit of it before and so has Tim (Southee). They'll all try it, even Chris Martin was willing to have a go yesterday which he doesn't normally like to do. It's a role that will be shared around."