Daniel Vettori is well aware that whenever you play a Test in Wellington the conditions are going to play a part.
Yet the 33 year-old veteran has learned to embrace the unpredictable nature of the capital’s weather and says the team that best adapts will hold a major advantage.
“A lot of the guys who have played here before know that it can be on and off with the rain and wind. It can be difficult at times,” Vettori admitted.
“It means a lot to me because I know which end I’ll be bowling from, but I’m used to that. It’s almost a case of looking forward to it, because you know you can really attack from one end with the fast bowlers coming down-wind with conditions which will probably assist them.”
Vettori’s experience at The Basin will be of huge benefit to the BLACKCAPS, as they look to right there wrongs from the second Test loss in Hamilton.
A disappointing display with the bat has led to speculation that the selectors will opt to go with six specialist batsmen, meaning one less seamer than in the previous two matches.
Vettori, who once was a selector himself, wouldn’t be surprised by this and thinks he has a fair idea of which three pace bowlers will get the nod.
“Gillespie, Martin and Bracewell have all done exceptionally well in this series. I think they’ll be the three we go with.
“I think if you break down the two Test matches so far the majority of the time we’ve competed and unfortunately we’ve let ourselves down with the bat.
“The talk from Wrighty and Ross so far is about applying ourselves with the bat and putting a score on the board to allow our three seamers to make the most of these conditions.”
Despite lagging behind in the series the New Zealand camp remain in high spirits and still believe that they can upset the star-studded South African side.
Our man Dan believes that it’s crucial they do exactly that.
“I think if we scrap back in this Test match it’s been a pretty successful summer and if not I think we’ll be remembered for that.”
