Cricket: Curator looks to replicate fear and fire of 70s Waca

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The man in charge of preparing the second test pitch is hoping for a return to the Waca's fiery old days this week.

Time was when the flint hard ground in Perth was among the most feared in the game, at least for batsmen, for the bounce and pace offered to quick bowlers.

It was the ground where local hero and fast bowling great Dennis Lillee announced himself with a blistering eight for 29 to skittle a World XI for 59 in 1971-72 and where two seasons later his speedster chum Jeff Thomson terrorised the touring England team.

Dennis Lillee knew how to get the best out of the WACA pitch:

Its record has been less brutal for batsmen in recent years, albeit no cakewalk, but curator Matt Page is confident the fast bowlers will be licking their lips.

"It's all about us trying to replicate the old days and provide a traditional Waca wicket," Page said. "It goes back to the 70s. So for us, every wicket we do, we're trying to replicate those conditions.

"Hopefully it will be like a traditional Waca wicket. There will be some pace and bounce for the quick guys, absolutely."

The WACA wasn't always a happy hunting ground for Australia:

Australia's attack has a few clicks of speed over New Zealand's fast-medium men, but there should still be encouragement if they get the ball in the right place and don't over-extend themselves in search of spectacular bounce.

The temperatures are expected to be around 35-38C on the first three days of the test, which may lead to cracks on days four and five.

"There's no cracks as yet. It will crack with the weather but I don't think the cracks will play a factor.

"Leading in, we can control [the preparation] quite well. We can control the moisture, but once it starts it's sort of taken out of our hands."

New Zealand have a decent record in Perth, winning one, drawing three and losing two of six tests against Australia.