Those variables of good luck aren't lost on Schaw but he and his troops know better in a sport where anything can happen.
Claiming first-innings points is crucial especially with a mercifully rain-free forecast today but rain taking hold tomorrow.
"We're not looking good for Sunday but, hey, we can only go and do what we can do although it can change pretty quickly," says Schaw of a region where dairy farming thrives for a reason.
No changes bar the return of spinner Ajaz Patel, akin to the electricity meter reader's monthly visit.
"I think you'll find he'll be in that CD set-up pretty quickly. I'm not complaining because he's a huge asset for us," says Schaw, disclosing that's why seamer Stoyanoff missed out.
With Lennox, "that's the way it is".
Schaw says six players had returned from the Provincial A tournament at Lincoln, near Christchurch, and are itching to play this weekend.
They are Matt Edmondson, Liam Dudding, Brad Schmulian, Angus Schaw, Smith and Christian Leopard.
"That's pretty good representation from Hawke's Bay," he says, adding it was a godsend to have them playing cricket over the break.
The Bay men warmed up against Whanganui last Sunday when Wright claimed 11 wickets on one day in a match played under three-day match rules.
Whanganui were skittled for 87 runs in the first innings then the Bay posted 250-6 declared before mopping them up again on the last ball for about 250-odd.
Schaw has stuck with a policy of peace of mind for incumbent players in a season when they have assurance of not losing their positions.
"We're going there quietly confident but it's probably our biggest test of the year.
"We're desperately in need of first-innings [points] to put us in a reasonable situation but anything can happen with weather so you just never know," he says as they go there as the No 2 side facing No 1.
Batting down to No 11 is something the Bay pride themselves in.
The likes of Liam Rukuwai, Dudding, Leopard and Smith are seam merchants.
"Obviously Ajaz, I believe, is the best red-ball spinner in the country at the moment and Angus took a few wickets with his spin down in Christchurch so with him and GC [Pretorius] we have some pretty good back up, really."
Factoring in Taranaki, Schaw doesn't know much about them but rates Ryan Watson as a bowler, James McDougall as a batsman and, he presumes, unwanted CD Stag Dean Robinson will be in the mix.
He understands Taranaki captain Mattie Thomas is often mentioned in the same breath but he prefers to reserve his rating on him for now.
"They'll be a hard team to beat at home but our guys are pretty excited about the game," says Schaw, suspecting all the Bay players have put a foot on Pukekura Park so they know what to expect.
Having practised well this week, he expects captain Smith and his men to be on their mark.
"It's an opportunity for all the 12 guys in our side to express themselves for higher honours because there are a few more CD A games to play," he says, revealing there were two more three-dayers on the card.
"We just have many guys knocking on the wood, really."
Dudding is likely to be the non-batter and Rupert Young the non-bowler.
■ Taranaki: Mattie Thomas (c), Dean Robinson, James McDougall, Liam Muggeridge, Jackson Braddock-Pago, Ryan Watson, Kaylum Boshier, Sam Fastier, Tom McDougall, Taylor Williams, Hayden McIntyre, Josh Borrell.
Coach: Debu Banik.
■ Hawke's Bay: Jacob Smith (c), Matt Edmondson, Rupert Young, Bradley Schmulian, Indika Senarathne, Angus Schaw, Christian Leopard, Scott Schaw (wk), GC Pretorius, Ajaz Patel, Liam Rukuwai, Liam Dudding.
Coach: Colin Schaw.
