Gabba pitch controversy: Some of the stuff that was stated was excessive, says Allan Border

Australian legend Allan Border has defended the Gabba pitch that was used within the first Test match between Australia and South Africa and claimed that a number of the issues stated in regards to the observe have been excessive. The match got here to an finish in underneath two days.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 22, 2022 13:31 IST

Border has jumped to the defence of the Gabba pitch (Courtesy: Reuters)

By India Today Web Desk: Australian cricket legend Allan Border has defended the controversial Gabba pitch used throughout the first Test between Australia and South Africa and commented that a number of the issues being stated in regards to the observe are excessive.

The first Test between Australia and South Africa got here to a detailed as 34 wickets fell in underneath two days. ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees member Richie Richardson launched his report on the pitch, and deemed it as ‘beneath common’.

As quoted by zero wicket, Border claimed that a number of the issues being spoken in regards to the observe in Brisbane was excessive and the pitch wasn’t harmful.

“Some of the stuff that was talked about the pitch was over the top,” Border expressed.

“I mean, it wasn’t dangerous for a start. That is not a dangerous wicket.

“I can’t even remember anyone getting hit other than the normal state of affairs, on the thigh pad or on the gloves.”

“They’re going on about those bouncers that went flying over (from Nortje) — that was just terrible bowling on a fast, bouncy track,” stated Border.

Border stated that the standard of bowling was good within the match and calling the pitch harmful is not proper. The Australia legend admitted that the observe was troublesome for the batters, nevertheless it wasn’t the worst depraved ever produced.

“We’ve all played on pitches like that (at the Gabba). It was just the quality of bowling was there and the batsmen never really held sway,” Border added.

“Talking about it being dangerous is just not on. It wasn’t the case. It was difficult, but not dangerous.”

“I’m not trying to justify it, but sometimes the rhetoric got a bit over the top about how bad it was. It was like it was the worst wicket ever produced.”

“I just think, ‘give me a break’. It was difficult, but Travis Head didn’t have too much trouble on day one,” stated Border.

Published On:

Dec 22, 2022