Green wicket holds key to NZ-SA first Test today

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Feb 16 (AFP): New Zealand and South Africa are focusing on the notoriously green Hagley Oval wicket as they draw up battle plans for the first Test starting in Christchurch on Thursday.
New Zealand are desperate for a first series win against South Africa and to prove they can still muster a winning combination despite missing 273 Tests-worth of experience with the absence of Ross Taylor (retired), Kane Williamson (injured) and Trent Boult (paternity leave).
South Africa are thirsting to lift both their world ranking (fifth) and to boost their World Test Championship standing, with the chance to move up to second if they sweep the two-Test series.
But the main talking point for New Zealand captains Tom Latham and South African counterpart Dean Elgar on Wednesday was the bowl-first reputation of the lush Hagley Oval surface.
It will be South Africa's first outing on the Christchurch strip where both Tests of the series will be played. New Zealand boast an enviable record of seven wins, one defeat and one draw on a wicket that always seems to suit their swing and seam attack.
"It presents opportunities to score runs but also presents opportunities for bowlers with a bit of pace and bounce and a bit of assistance off the wicket," New Zealand skipper Latham said.
"We've played some really good cricket at home now for a long period and I know if we can adapt to the wicket, adapt to the surface, then hopefully we'll give ourselves a good chance of being on the right side."