Adam Parore: Mysterious Hamilton pitch could change New Zealand's fortunes

Dale Steyn of South Africa. Photo / Getty images

New Zealand are well behind the 8-ball but the nature of the Hamilton pitch means we can't count them out in the second test against South Africa.

'Remember Tasmania' might be the catch-cry, because there is a bit of that feeling here.

Hamilton has the best test wicket in the country for my money. It produces an even, if up-and-down, contest between bat and ball throughout any day. As to why though, I'm not totally sure.

One minute a team appears out of the running, as New Zealand did after their first innings, then suddenly they are back in. Then back out.

The wicket always looks reasonably good for batting and yet hardly anyone makes big runs there. I don't think a team has posted 400-plus and getting over 300 is a rarity.

The pitch isn't a ripper, and it doesn't turn square. Batsmen aren't overwhelmed, yet strangely they never feel really in. The rare centuries, I suspect, will come from the class players.

The conditions are a touch soft so little divots make for variable bounce, a partial explanation perhaps for the Hamilton factor. But a beauty of test cricket lies in the mysteries, when logic and reason have to step aside, as is the case here.

Which brings us to reverse swing. Why Dale Steyn should find reverse swing around the 30 over mark - who knows? When the stars are aligned, certain players can get the ball to reverse swing dangerously as Steyn did last night. Just as mysteriously, the ball does not usually co-operate in the morning, so the New Zealand batsmen should get partial respite from Steyn initially today.

You have to be impressed with that South African attack - their quick bowlers never let up. Our batsmen are copping it on internet sites but they are facing the best attack in world cricket.

Vernon Philander is the danger man. He bowls the perfect length as well as anyone so should be lethal using those pitch variations.

While NZ is firmly on the back foot, a wonderful test has met the action-packed requirements of today.

Well done to John Wright and the NZ camp for giving Mark Gillespie another chance. It was tough on Trent Boult but Wright and co. stuck by their hunch and homework. Gillespie's comeback five-wicket haul is a wonderful test story.