The Black Caps are hoping Wellington's infamous southerly will come to their aid on day three of the second cricket test against South Africa in Wellington.
The tourists will resume at 349 for nine this morning an overall lead of 81.
Having reduced the Proteas to 94-6 shortly before lunch yesterday, South Africa wrested back control of the match with a 160 run seventh wicket stand between Quinton de Kock, who made 91, and Temba Bavuma 89.
Neil Wagner Photo: Photosport
New Zealand pace bowler Neil Wagner says if they can claim the last Proteas wicket quickly, the South African bowlers will have a difficult job on a flat Basin Reserve wicket coupled with the weather.
"If it's a southerly and its quite cold it's going to be tough work..it's meant to be that (forecast)," said Wagner.
"it's tough when the wind blows, sometimes it doesn't swing when its blowing like that and at times it does. It's (also) quite hard to control your line... but we all knew before the game started of 'windy Wellington' and it's just one of those things you have got to factor in.'
The Black Caps were left to lament what might have been after South Africa seized control of the test.
Wagner congratulated de Kock and Bavuma on their partnership admitting it had been a "tough" second day for the home side but he said having lost the toss and been put into bat on the opening day they were still "pretty happy with the position we're in."
He said they had shown the Black Caps what they needed to do come their second innings.
"it's obviously a lot easier to bat on now and it's flattened out...so that's quite good for us at this stage.
"They showed once that moisture (in the pitch) goes away after lunch it's a lot easier to bat on...if we can do the same thing and create some partnerships like that and put the pressure back on them...we give ourselves a good chance."
-RNZ
