Cricket: Arnel or Gillespie for second test?

Brent Arnel and Mark Gillespie joined the Black Caps squad earlier in the game. Photo / Getty Images

A choice between a local who was kicked out of junior cricket as a kid because he bowled too fast and a Wellingtonian with a fiery disposition looms as the biggest decision for the New Zealand cricket side ahead of their second test against South Africa starting in Hamilton tomorrow

Both Brent Arnel and Mark Gillespie were recalled to the side this week in place of Tim Southee, who was left out after a poor showing in Dunedin, and whoever gets the nod is likely to be the only change to the side that played in the drawn first test.

New Zealand captain Ross Taylor emphasised the need to take 20 wickets and both come in with good domestic form.

Arnel tops the wicket-taking list with 30 at an average of 27.53. The Northern Districts right-armer played five tests, the last against Pakistan in January 2011, and has nine wickets at 55.77.

Gillespie is a renowned strike bowler who, as Taylor said, "talks a big game'' but can also go for a few. The Wellingtonian comes into the match with 20 wickets from his last three first-class matches and had the distinction of claiming five wickets against South Africa on debut in 2007.

Taylor said they were undecided on who would play and would wait until scanning the Seddon Park pitch on the morning of the match before settling on their side but said the top five would remain the same.

The pitch had a green tinge to it this afternoon but is expected to brown off in the afternoon sun today and should settle to be a good batting track.

"We have an idea what the team is going to be but we are picking from 14,'' Taylor said.

"[Arnel] knows this wicket pretty well. He's been the form bowler and, talking around the traps, it's probably the best he's bowled for a few years. He bowls wicket to wicket and can hurry players up. He's a little but quicker than people think.

"Gillespie is just a wicket-taker. He's an aggressive bowler. He's probably not going to go for two or three runs an over but will pick up wickets, especially in the makeup of our team and what we decide we need to take 20 wickets. He'll be big part if he does play.''

Andrew Ellis looms as an outside chance to play because of the additional batting he adds - he would slot in at eight as opposed to Arnel and Gillespie who would bat No 10 _ but the lack of turn expected and number of other slow bowling options in the New Zealand side means Tarun Nethula will miss out.

South Africa are expected to take an unchanged lineup into the side, although AB de Villiers rolled his ankle in training yesterday and is a doubt with JP Duminy the most likely replacement if he's ruled out.