“It wasn’t even a bat-and-ball battle,” said Test referee Richie Richardson.
After the first test between Australia and South Africa ended within two days, Gabapich was given a rating of “below average” and given minus points by the ICC.
A total of 866 balls were bowled in the match, making it Australia’s second shortest Test ever, during which 34 wickets were scored. A bowler won 1 wicket for every 25.5 balls he had. This was his second best batting average (at least 30 wickets) in a Test match so far, and South African captain Dean his Elgar then bat and ball on the surface. The ICC agreed.
Test match umpire Richie Richardson said, “Overall, Gabba’s pitch was too favorable for the bowlers in this Test match.” “There was added bounce and occasional excessive seam movement. Odd deliveries were still low on day two, making it very difficult for hitters to form partnerships.”
“It wasn’t a batting showdown, so I found the pitch to be ‘below average’ according to ICC guidelines.”
But Richardson doesn’t go as far as Elgar, suggesting that the surface could pose a danger to thugs.
Elgar questioned field umpire Chris his Gaffney and Rod his Tucker during his two matches in Australia. “Flew over us”. However, he got no response on the field.
Australian captain Pat Cummins said the surface was “impossible” dangerous, but conceded it was “difficult” to hit. “Two days is probably not ideal… Personally, I don’t mind if the groundsman makes the occasional mistake on the greenside. I think it was the same for both teams,” he said after the game.
It is his second time in four years that an Australian course has received a negative rating by his ICC. In January 2018, the MCG pitch was rated poorly as Australia and England tied and dropped just 24 wickets in five days.
The next test between Australia and South Africa starts on Boxing Day at the MCG.