'Will ICC investigate the pitch for this two day Test' - Twitter lays into Gabba surface after Australia prevailed against South Africa in 1st Test

Australia triumphed in the first Test of the three-match series against South Africa in a match that was wrapped under two days. A total of 34 wickets fell on the first two days at the Gabba as the batters were all at sea on a green top that had a little too much for the fast bowlers. The pitch came under scrutiny by the Netizens, who felt robbed of an even contest between two great Test-playing nations.

Both Australia and South Africa are renowned for possessing exceptional fast bowling attacks, and people, including several cricket experts, felt they did not need a helping hand at the Gabba. Batting was not going to be easy on the surface, and it proved to be the case as the visitors were bowled out for a low score of 152 runs in their first innings.

The home side did not do much better in their reply either, and it was Travis Head's brilliance with the bat that saw them take a slender lead in the contest. Head's innings proved to be the decisive factor in the match as the Australian pacers, led by skipper Pat Cummins rolled over the Proteas for a paltry 99 runs in their second innings.

Australia needed a meager 34 runs to go 1-0 up in the series and it looked like a straightforward chase for the home side. However, they were made to sweat by Kagiso Rabada, who scalped for Aussie batters to rattle the hosts. Australia prevailed eventually, but an extra 40-50 runs on this surface could've done the trick for the visitors. 

South African skipper Dean Elgar lauded the bowling performance from his side but felt it wasn't an even contest between bat and ball. He reckoned people enjoy watching fast bowlers, but a match ending in two days does not bode well for Test cricket.

142 overs and not even lasting 2 days and they have the audacity to lecture on what kind of pitches are needed. Had it happened in India, it would have been labelled end of test cricket, ruining test cricket and what not. The Hypocrisy is mind-boggling . #AUSvSA

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 18, 2022

This at the Gabba isn't unplayable but a very difficult pitch to bat on. Almost too difficult. A proper, spicy Andhra curry that is edible but leaves you gasping.....

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 18, 2022

Says a lot about the Gabba pitch that Mitchell Starc was padded up for a run chase of 34. #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/nXcZj56Vpj

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) December 18, 2022

#INDvENG pink ball test - 2 innings over in 102 overs: “this pitch is ruining test cricket” #AUSvSA - 2 innings over in 108 overs: “interesting the match is moving so quickly”

Fascinating ☺️ #CricketTwitter

— TexasCricketCommenter (@CricketKaran1) December 18, 2022

Known as the Gabbattoir for a reason. SA absolutely slaughtered. Not the first team to suffer this fate there. Will @ICC investigate the pitch for this two day Test? For those with tickets on Days 3-5, take a flight to Karachi.

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) December 18, 2022

Gut feeling is that the Gabba pitch will get a below average rating. Will be interesting to see after that. Not sure how safe it would have been if it had somehow gone to a third day but that was astonishing. #AUSvSA

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 18, 2022

This Brisbane pitch is one of the best I have since last year's Ahmedabad pitch.

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) December 18, 2022

Still thinking about the pitch is Brisbane! Had the match gone till third or fourth day, bowlers would have eaten batters alive. The pitch should get below average or poor rating.

Imagine this kind of pitch was prepared in Pakistan, the outrage would have been unreal. #AUSvSA

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 18, 2022

It’s been fun but it’s all happened too quickly.
Pitch too grassy and green especially when you have two outstanding bowling units who don’t need generous conditions to have an impact. #AUSvSA

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 18, 2022

Brisbane #Gabba pitch should be inspected by the @ICC. If a Test Match ends in 2 days, it should be a cause for concern. It appears Aussies haven't forgotten India's win at Gabba 2 years ago. Hence they prepared this pitch.

— Pramod Kumar Singh (@SinghPramod2784) December 18, 2022

Lucky they kept the AFLW Grand Final off the Gabba to protect the pitch.

— peter ryan (@petryan) December 18, 2022

This Gabba pitch is shambolic for test cricket.
ICC = CA if this pitch doesn't get banned for poor quality of cricket being produced. Aus is so afraid of SA Batsmen and Bavuma in particular, they are making minefields as pitches to stop him.
Cowards of highest order

— Abdullah (@abdullahhammad4) December 18, 2022

Welll... A Test has just gotten over within 1.5 days and no one bats an eye to how the pitch was 🙄.

Are the criticisms only valid and coming if the matches happen on turners in the subcontinent? 🫢#AUSvSA

— Jaanvi🏏 (@ThatCric8Girl) December 18, 2022

Australia vs South Africa Test match in Gabba finished in just 2 days
What a horrible pitch it was total 34 wickets fell in just 144.2 overs and just 404 runs were scored among two top sides.
Now say something @MichaelVaughan ???@ICC rate this pitch poor 🤢

— Cricket🏏 Lover (@CricCrazyV) December 18, 2022

Agree 💯, When balls spin from 1st session everyone cries and when it swing and seam no one crictices neither pitch nor curator @ICC should take action against this

— Irfan Shaikh (@shaikhirfan177) December 18, 2022

English media when:
test match ends in 2 days in India: nooooo! flat pitch, rank turner, disgrace to test, can't win properly
test match ends in 2 days in Australia: awww yeah! such a nice pitch, brilliant bowling by Australians, fair play, love how fast the match is moving

— The Sporty Freak (@Sportyfreak2005) December 18, 2022

Dust bowls in India are poor pitches but green bouncy wickets which produce dangerous uneven bounce wherein tests end in 2 days is Kosher. Bear in mind, spin can't kill batsmen. #AUSvsSA

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) December 18, 2022

have Haydos, Maxwell, Vaughan called the gabba pitch diabolical yet?

— Sritama (Ross Taylor’s version) (@cricketpun_duh) December 18, 2022