Cricket: Fetch the lawnmower... the grass needs a trim

Chris Martin. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand might have a four-pronged pace attack these days but expect the groundsmen in Dunedin, Hamilton and Wellington to be preparing strips for South Africa with rather more batting in them than against Zimbabwe.

The groundsmen can be expected to liberate their lawnmowers and rollers from the shed and put them to use for the three-test series against the Proteas.

New Zealand's pace quartet era is expected to continue (at least while Daniel Vettori's batting form holds at No 6), but they are not expected to receive as much assistance as against Zimbabwe in the test in Napier.

It is uncertain whether a message has come from on high (read: coach John Wright) but the Herald on Sunday understands wickets are likely to be more straw than emerald in colour with the Proteas' arrival.

For New Zealand fans, there is little room for argument; South Africa possesses a fast bowling arsenal in Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel which is the envy of their cricketing contemporaries.

This is the attack which humbled Australia to 21 for nine late last year in Cape Town before dismissing them for 47.

In addition, 21-year-old right-armer Marchant de Lange debuted as a replacement for the injured Philander against Sri Lanka at Centurion and took match figures of eight for 126.

It makes sense for grass cover to be reduced.

That gives the New Zealand batsmen a challenge if they are inserted on the first morning - which in their current form, they should willingly accept - while the bowlers are not left disconsolate.

Other factors point to curators producing wickets where the ball doesn't snake around excessively, but might turn late in a match. South Africa's spin attack is limited.

Leg spinner Imran Tahir has played the last five tests where he has taken 14 wickets at 36.78 - far from the menacing territory of experts in his craft such as Shane Warne (708 wickets at 25.41) or Anil Kumble (619 wickets at 29.65).

New Zealand might see that as an area where they can get some parity using Vettori's experience.

Wright has already hinted at the possible use of leg spinner Tarun Nethula as back-up for the second test in Hamilton, given the Seddon Park surface's tendency to provide purchase on days four and five. Groundsmen will also be wary of getting marked down for tests finishing early and reducing ticket revenues.

Few tests around the world recently have extended into a fifth day and those charged with marking the ground report cards are keenly aware.

It is further discouragement for a thatch of green grass.

Stricter pitch and ground conditions are imposed for limited overs matches.

There is common agreement in the curator community that wickets have to be built solely with batsmen in mind. Runs rather than wickets sell tickets.