'It was fine' - Pat Cummins denies Elgar's claims of Gabba pitch being unsafe

The first Test between Australia and South Africa ended within just two days at The Gabba in Brisbane as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. South African skipper Dean Elgar was not at all happy with the Gabba pitch and even questioned the umpires if it was ‘unsafe’. But he revealed that the umpires were ignorant about the consequences of batting on the pitch.

After Elgar’s comments, Australian skipper Pat Cummins reverted to the remarks and said that though it was a difficult pitch to bat on, it was similar for both teams. Australia enjoyed the victory as they inched a step closer to sealing the World Test Championship finale spot. They are currently on top of the points table, and a series win against the Proteas will strengthen their case.

“It was fine. There were no balls jumping off a length or anything like that. It was certainly tricky -- two days probably isn’t ideal. There was a lot of sideways movement and today a little bit of up and down bounce as well. Personally, I don’t mind if the groundsmen err on the side of a greener surface,” Cummins was quoted as saying by Fox Sports.

The game was dead and buried: Elgar

34 wickets fell within just six sessions in two days, which clearly indicated that the pitch was not at all batter-friendly. The South African captain argued that grounds like the one created at the Gabba don't help Test cricket, the already struggling format, gain more worldwide popularity. Australia needed just 33 runs in their final innings to win the game. But their chase wasn’t as easy as they thought it would be, as Kagiso Rabada picked up four big wickets.

"I did ask the umpires (about the pitch). When 'KG' (Kagiso Rabada) got (Travis) Head out down leg (on Sunday), I said, 'How long does it go on for before it potentially is unsafe?' Then (Anrich) Nortje was bowling those short ones that were flying over our heads. I know the game was dead and buried. It was never to change or put a halt to the game, but that was where the umpires' discretion comes into play; not us as players,” Elgar revealed during the post-match press conference.