The Black Caps have never played a test match at the Rose Bowl cricket ground in Southampton. Photo / Getty
The Black Caps have never played a test match at the Rose Bowl cricket ground in Southampton. Photo / Getty
How do you prepare for a cricket pitch you've never played on in test cricket?
That is a dilemma the Black Caps are having to face ahead of the World Test Championship final in Southampton which begins tonight.
While New Zealand are well-versed in cricket matches in England, no sidehas ever taken the field at the Rose Bowl cricket ground outside of Twenty20 cricket.
But two former Black Caps - bowler Andre Adams and batsman Hamish Marshall - have offered valuable expertise on how the Kiwis can tackle the Southampton pitch, thanks to their first-class careers at the venue.
The ground was established in 2001 and first held an international match in 2003 – a one-dayer between England and South Africa. The first test match was between England and Sri Lanka in 2011.
Adams and Marshall have played at the Southampton venue during their extensive English county careers. Adams took 19 wickets at an average of 19.57 at the ground, while Marshall averaged 51 and bagged one century.
Andre Adams playing for Auckland in a First-Class match in 2006. Photo / Photosport
From a bowling perspective, Adams says the surface can change, offering plenty for bowlers.
"Traditionally it's normally a very good wicket; it has a fair bit of pace and carry. The surface can be quite ropey though, it does seam around a little bit to start with and it does turn – it can be quite dry… it can turn into something that can be spin-friendly," he told Newstalk ZB.
"The New Zealand seamers will be very happy, the combination that New Zealand goes with will be crucial but who knows what that's going to be after the last two tests."
Marshall agrees and says the way the English County Championship season has played out suggests a spinner would be wise.
"Another reason to take Ajaz [Patel] into the team because if it can go for that extra day and they can take it up to that fifth day, if it's turning, it could be a handy option," Marshall says.
Hamish Marshall - here representing the Black Caps in 2005 - hit a century on the Rose Bowl cricket ground in Southampton in 2013. Photo / Photosport
"In Hampshire, sometimes towards the last couple of days especially if the weather has been good, it can dry up quite quick and can take some turn. Ajaz showed even on a wicket that didn't turn a lot in Edgbaston, he can do a job.
"I would like to see him go in and play, but I would still like to see the big four lads because taking 20 wickets is what's going to win the match."
Marshall - who played 13 tests for the Black Caps with an average of 38.35 and two centuries - whacked 114 for Gloucestershire in a four-day match at the ground in 2013.
He has some advice for Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson when the coin goes up.
"Generally in England, you tend to look up not down first and foremost, especially when it comes to the toss. If it is overcast there it can be quite tough to bat because the ball swings a lot. If Kane is looking up and sees cloud cover I'm sure he'd like to have a bowl.
"It's one of the more modern country ground and test venues in England. From that point of view when you turn up, all the facilities are fantastic so it's a good spot to start things off."
