Kiwi cricket officials expecting `zipping` University Oval pitch ahead of Windies Test

Wellington: New Zealand cricket officials are expecting the University Oval pitch in Dunedin to have some `zip` to it when New Zealand take on the West Indies in the first of the three-Test series starting on Tuesday.

The pitch came under fire in March, when New Zealand and England played out a dull draw in which only 25 wickets fell in the 341 overs that were sent down over the five days, with England legend Geoffrey Boycott saying that similar pitches would kill Test cricket. However, Stuff.co.nz reports that Otago Cricket Association boss Ross Dykes stated he expects a pitch with a bit more pace and bounce to it ahead of the first Test against the Caribbean nation, adding that there is a fine line between in preparing a pitch that does not offer too much for the bowlers and one that is advantageous to batsmen. Stating that the groundsman is starting to get the right balance at the University Oval, Dykes also said that the pitch looks to be in a very good shape and he believes that with warm weather, the pitch will be as good as it was before. Dykes further added that the pitch looks like it might be a little quicker than normal with a bit more bounce and is going to have good pace in it.