Basin Reserve groundsman Trevor Jackson believes both teams will find something to enjoy on the pitch to be used in the National Bank Series match between New Zealand and India starting on Thursday.

While there was some dampness still in the pitch, it would not have the same effect as in recent years because he had been able to get the covers off the block for several days in the lead-up to the match, something that was denied him last year.

The juggling act that is maintenance of the block in Wellington's wind meant the mositure needed to be maintained as strong northerly winds blew over the ground today.

Some more grass would be cut from the pitch on Thursday morning but he expected the better grass cover he had been able to achieve to result in faster pace in the pitch than in last summer's slow pitch for the Test against England.

Jackson didn't think the spin quality would be excessive in the latter days of the match. Any drastic spin would come from any foot marks more than from the pitch itself, he said.

Half of the pitch block was relaid over the winter, but the Test was being played on the older half of the block which was laid in Patamahoe clay nine years ago. It has had a significant amount of rolling this year.

The ground itself has had an extensive makeover after it looked a tired and worn-out venue last year.

The highly-controversial scoreboard at the ground has also been improved.

© CricInfo