Brisbane: After the first Test between Australia and South Africa ended within two days, former cricketer Virender Sehwag slammed Australia for the Gabba pitch, saying that had it happened in India, it would have been labelled as the end of test cricket and what not.
A total of 34 wickets fell over the course of six sessions and within two days of the first Test. South Africa were shot out for 152 and 99 runs in two innings while Australia were bundled out for 216 in their first innings and struggled to 35/4 in their second innings to win the match by six wickets on Sunday.
In all, 19 wickets fell on the second day on a green top wicket that offered a lot of assistance to both teams’ pace attacks.
Taking to Twitter after the match, the former India opener pointed out the hypocrisy as the Australia captain and their supporters have been defending the ‘dangerous’ pitch.
“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 the end of Test cricket, ruining Test cricket and whatnot. The Hypocrisy is mind-boggling. #AUSvSA,” Sehwag tweeted.
Despite the sharp criticism of a heavily grassed Gabba strip, Australia captain Pat Cummins said the pitch was not dangerous.
“Personally, I don’t mind when the groundsman errs on the greener side occasionally. I’ve played a lot of Test matches when they’ve erred on the flatter side, so I think it was the same for both teams,” said Cummins.
“There was some sideways movement, a little bit of up and down bounce but it was fine. There’s no balls jumping off a length or anything like that. No way (was it dangerous),” he added.
(IANS)
