The Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz's chances of playing in this week's third Ashes Test in Edgbaston have been boosted significantly.
The covers came off in Birmingham to show a far less frightening pitch than had been expected following groundsman Steve Rouse's dire predictions late last week.
Australia's vice captain Michael Clarke thought the deck would take turn to greatly enhance Hauritz's prospects of keeping his spot after claiming nine wickets in the opening two Tests.
Clark says the wicket is pretty dry and spin will play a part in the game Australia need to win to level the series after losijng at Lord's and drawing in Cardiff.
But bad weather is threatening to put a major dampener on the match with a draw the bookmakers' favoured result.
