It is unclear whether pace bowler Mark Gillespie performed any sort of ritual to encourage the rain yesterday but he certainly was not disappointed the gods had blessed Dunedin with some wet weather.
The 29-year-old Wellingtonian has been recalled for the test series against the West Indies atthe expense of regular new ball bowler Chris Martin, and will spearhead an attack including provincial teammates Iain O'Brien and James Franklin.
The trio are charged with dismantling a powerful batting line-up which boasts ICC cricketer of the year Shivnarine Chanderpaul, swashbuckling opener Chris Gayle and the in-form Ramnaresh Sarwan.
And the rain should freshen up the University Oval pitch which, of late, has offered the quicks precious little assistance.
"All that I've read says it is going to be low and slow, but hopefully this will freshen things up," Gillespie said, smiling. "They're very good players and I'm just looking forward to it, really."
Chanderpaul, in particular, has had a superb year and looms as the biggest threat. His unusual stance has caused more than a few bowlers problems.
"Chanderpaul is a little bit different in his pre-delivery movement and obviously Gayle just stands and delivers.
"If you are worrying about what he [Chanderpaul] is doing ... then you are a step behind already. So it is just a case of trusting what you are doing with your own processes."
After spending a lot of time bowling in the nets while on duty for the Black Caps, the Wanganui-born bowler was relieved to be bowling out in the middle for Wellington last week and hit some good form.
He took eight wickets for 124 runs to help Wellington demolish Northern Districts by an innings and 12 runs and described his form being "as good as it can be".
"It's going all right. Towards the end of the game against ND, I felt better and better as the game went on. I've bowled a hell of a lot of overs in the nets over the last sort of three months, that's all I've been doing."
With no Southee and no Martin in the attack, Gillespie, who will be playing just his third test, will be the go-to guy and expected to strike with the new ball. "It's a job I've been reasonably successful for Wellington at."
