South Africa skipper Dean Elgar slams Gabba wicket after two day humiliation

Within just two days, hosts Australia crushed South Africa by six wickets and won the first match of the ongoing three-match Test series at The Gabba in Brisbane. The Pat Cummins-led side now leads the series 1-0. Following the loss, the Proteas skipper Dean Elgar slammed the Gabba pitch and further claimed that the umpires were ignorant about the dangers of batting on the surface.

Elgar, in the post-match conference, raised his concerns and mentioned that the on-field umpires - Chris Gaffaney and Rod Tucker were ignorant of the extra bounce available on the surface and which posed a threat.

"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,” said Elgar.

The winning runs of the match came when the ball went all the way to the boundary for five wides off Nortje’s bouncer. This was precisely what Elgar was referring to in his statements when he spoke with the umpires over the unsafe pitch.

Australia close to cementing spot in ICC WTC summit clash 

The Aussies registered a comprehensive win in the first red-ball contest at the Gabba but the point to rejoice for the side would be that they are inching closer to claiming a spot in the World Test Championship finals. South Africa, too, are in contention but face a major threat from team India.

It must be noted that team India registered a win against Bangladesh in the first of the ongoing two-match Test series in Chattogram. The win coupled with Australia’s massive victory has now boosted India’s chances of nailing a spot in the ICC WTC finals of the 2021-23 cycle.