The Cricket fraternity questioned the green top pitch for the first Test between Australia and South Africa in Gabba, Brisbane after the encounter ended in two days only with the hosts winning by 6 wickets.
The Gabba, where Australia has lost only one Test match since 1988-89, to India last year, welcomed Dean Elgar’s Proteas with a lush green top on the playing surface and Pat Cummins called correct on the toss and chose to bowl first.
Only Kyle Verreynne with 64 and Temba Bavuma with 38 managed to counter the Australia pace attack on a testing surface as South Africa managed 152 runs in the first innings. For the hosts, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon took three wickets, while Scott Boland and Pat Cummins took 2 wickets apiece.
In reply, Australia made 218 runs with Travis Head making 92 and Steve Smith contributing 36 runs, while Kagiso Rabada picked 4/76 and Marco Jansen took 3/32.
Much was expected on the second day by South Africa in the second innings, but they could manage only 99 runs with Bavuma making 29 and Khaya Zondo top-scoring with 36*. Pat Cummins with 5/42 was the best bowler for Australia.
With just 34 runs to chase for the win, Australia was rocked hard by Kagiso Rabada, who picked 4/13, but the hosts managed to win the match with 6 wickets in hand. For David Warner, it was a forgettable match as he scored 0 and 3 runs.
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Though it was a very good display of fast bowling from both sides, and the start was brilliant for Australia, who are looking to win all three matches in a bid to qualify for the ICC WTC final, the green top pitch, and the two-day finish was criticized by a faction of former cricketers on Twitter.
Here are some of the reactions:
