Cricket: Basin groundsman promises pitch with pace and bounce

1.00pm

Basin Reserve groundsman Trevor Jackson is promising a near-perfect pitch for the third test between the Black Caps and South Africa, starting on Friday.

Jackson says conditions have fortunately been stable, unlike the torrential rain and storms he faced in the lead up to last month's one-dayer in Wellington.

He says they are trying to reproduce a replica of this season's Boxing Day pitch for the test between New Zealand and Pakistan.

Jackson says currently there is even grass coverage which is being rolled in to add pace and bounce while the moisture content will be reduced slightly before the opening day.

Good weather is forecast between now and the start of the test as the Black Caps look to win a home series against South Africa for the first time.

New Zealand leads the three match series 1-0 after the nine-wicket win at Eden Park in the second test.

- Newstalk ZB