A washed-out opening day has turned the first Test against Pakistan in Christchurch into a haven for pace bowlers, according to New Zealand's batting coach.
Craig McMillan says both sides will be desperate to bowl first when play begins, probably on day two on Friday.
The first day was abandoned after relentless rain, but the forecast is good for the next four days and, with extended hours to be employed, the chance of a result is still high.
Wickets could tumble quickly if the strike bowlers from either side exploit the conditions, McMillan said.
"We know it's going to be challenging. You only have to look at the colour of the pitch to know that both sets of fast bowlers are licking their lips," he said.
"But hopefully there's enough movement for a couple of days so whoever wins the toss doesn't have a big advantage."
McMillan says the disruption probably won't affect New Zealand's selection plans.
They had intended to select legspinner Todd Astle and McMillan says the 30-year-old could still prove effective later in the Test.
Before then, the blowtorch goes on his batsmen, including debut New Zealand opener Jeet Raval, against a touring pace attack spearheaded by Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz.
"We've had to bat first on a number of pitches that look similar and done it well," McMillan said.
"We have to make good decisions and be nice and precise about how we go about it."
The Test is one of the earliest scheduled in any New Zealand summer.
It continues a damp beginning to Pakistan's tour. All three days of their only scheduled warm-up match, against New Zealand A in Nelson last week, were washed out.
