McLean Park wicket ready for batsmen

Head groundsman Phil Stoyanoff got stuck into the wicket rolling yesterday after the rain disappeared. Photo / Duncan Brown

The weather and the wicket for today's one-day international cricket clash between the Black Caps and Pakistan in Napier is looking good.

There may have been some nervous glances at the spots of rain which fell across McLean Park early yesterday but the glances at Metservice's forecast for match-day will have eased any fears.

Today is expected to be mainly sunny, with some cloud and a warm 30 degrees.

Which was music to the ears of Central Districts logistics manager Bob Mitchell and chief groundsman Phil Stoyanoff.

"Give us the weather and we'll put on a great day," Mr Mitchell said.

He had no late updates on ticket sales for the day-nighter, which bats and bowls into life at 2pm, as they were being handled by the Ticketek agency.

"But we are looking at about 6000 and all the signs at this stage are pretty good."

While the Pakistan team went through their preparations at the Nelson Park nets yesterday morning the ground crew led by Mr Stoyanoff concentrated on getting the park looking its absolute best.

They removed the large outer cover sheet and the wicket covers just after 10.30am to take advantage of the emerging sunshine after 12 hours of on-and-off light drizzle.

However, the wicket covers were unfolded and put back on again barely two hours later as spots of light rain returned.

Then the sun came back and off came the wicket covers ... again.

Asked how it was looking, Mr Stoyanoff smiled and confessed he was "a bit flat out at the moment".

"But it's all looking really good - we've had no worries."

The covers had been on for several days to ensure the much acclaimed McLean Park wicket again lived up to its reputation as a top-quality strip.

Mr Stoyanoff's approach has always been that spectators liked to see runs at a one-dayer, but, as has long been his pre-match philosophy, he would not be drawn on what it would likely reveal - and would it be better to bat or bowl first.

Several New Zealand Cricket representatives were at the park and one was heard to simply say "superb" as they looked over the playing strip and precisely manicured outfield.