Pressure is on curators - and the City of Launceston - to perfect a strip that lives up to expectations after months of resurfacing UTAS Stadium.
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Hobart Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith is hoping little will change in the high standards of playing conditions.
"Last year, it had some good pace in it and it was a pretty good wicket," he said.
"It will be interesting to see the outfield that's been re-laid, but I'm hearing really good reports as well."
Council decided a year ago to controversially tear up the turf of UTAS Stadium before the end of the State League football season so in time for Monday's Big Bash fixture.
The $3.5 million project that includes improving the drainage and irrigation system was the first of its kind on the arena for two decades.
But Hurricanes allrounder James Faulkner, who grew up in Launceston, was none the wiser that the oval redevelopment had taken place.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
"When was it resurfaced?" he asked. "Let's just hope it's not like Alice Springs was."
Batting first the wicket has averaged 148 runs over three T20 innings and overall the run rate has dropped to 6.41 per over after Perth Scorchers battled to a below-par 8-107 and the Hurricanes conservatively chased down the mark with just 15 balls left.
Faulkner has backed curators to give the wicket pace and the outfield to be fast.
"Last year, it was a little bit slow and the second game was a lot better," he said.
"Everyone knows the surface in Launceston is one of the best going around.
"AFL players say it's the best in Australia, so I'm sure they will have it up to scratch."
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Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
