Ponting slams 'poor' Gabba pitch as first Test ends in two days
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Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting and opener Matthew Hayden criticised the green wicket at the Gabba after the first Test between Australia and South Africa ended in first two days.
Australia defeated the proteas by six wickets taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. This drew many criticism in cricket fraternity as the match concluded within two days with an astonishing 34 wickets.
South Africa were bowled out for just 99 on Sunday before Australia lost four wickets in chasing the 45 runs required for victory.
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"I haven’t seen one as green. Matthew Hayden played here more than me, and he hasn’t seen one as green and Justin Langer said he hasn’t seen one as green [...] there was excessive seam movement," said Ponting.
"These are very, very good bowling teams, no doubt, but I don’t think that the batting teams are that bad," he added.
Hayden was similarly critical of the surface, noting there was far too much grass on the wicket.
"In my opinion, it started too green. And that’s from someone who has seen this [pitch] from a very young age. There is no need to make it so full of grass, such heavy grass content. Because it seamed too much," added Hayden.
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