University Oval ground staff have erred on the side of caution when preparing the pitch for the first cricket test between South Africa and the Black Caps, which starts in Dunedin tomorrow.
The Oval wicket has a reputation for being a green seamer but a quick peek under the covers yesterday revealed it was a brownish version instead.
With so much riding on a good performance, Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes acknowledged groundsman Tom Tamati and his ground staff had been cautious when producing the pitch.
"And I think that is perfectly natural.
"The core samples suggest it is fine but I don't think we'd be normal if we weren't nervous.
What Tom has done is to try and present the best possible pitch he can.
"We want pace, we want bounce [but] we don't want excessive sideways movement.
"I think what we've got here is something which will bounce but I don't think the pace will be rapid," Mr Dykes said.
The pitch block has been relaid, repositioned and extended from five strips to eight since the last test played at the venue in November 2009.
The playing surface has also been expanded, with the minimum boundary now 65m.
Much money has been spent bringing the ground up to international standard and Mr Dykes said it was important the pitch played well.
Former Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori approached debate about the pitch from a different angle. He suggested a lively wicket might help the Black Caps run through the visitor's much-vaunted batting line-up if it won the toss.
But producing a pitch to suit the home team was not high on the agenda, Mr Dykes said.
"We have an obligation under New Zealand Cricket's guidance to produce what they consider to be the right sort of pitch," he said.
"[One] which is conducive to good stroke play, good bowling and gives everyone a show."
