“For occasional Test matches it’s not the worst thing”: Daniel Vettori backs Gabba pitch terming it a tough test for batters

The first test of the 3-match series between Australia and South Africa in Brisbane ended in just a couple of days. After the test, the pitch at the Gabba has been getting a lot of criticism from all over the world, but Daniel Vettori has a different opinion on the nature of Brisbane’s pitch.

Australia won the first test by 6 wickets, where they lost their 4 wickets despite chasing the mere target of 34 runs. The paces dominated the match from the very first day, and the Proteas managed to score just 99 runs in their 2nd innings. It was certain that the bounce on the pitch was not at all even.

ICC called the Brisbane pitch ”below average’ and mentioned that there was not an even contest between the bat and the ball in the 1st test. Steve Smith also said that he will prefer a more balanced pitch at the MCG for the 2nd test.

Daniel Vettori backs Gabba pitch for AUS vs SA 1st test

Former New Zealand spinner and Australia’s assistant coach Daniel Vettori has backed the Gabba’s pitch in the first test after it was labelled as unsafe for the batters. Vettori said that he has played a couple of games at the Gabba where he did not bowl a single over in the innings.

Vettori said that these pitches should not become a regularity, but sometimes these pitches make the match interesting and provide a tough test for the batters. He insists that he does not mind having pitches like these occasionally, and it is a good opportunity for the bowlers.

“I just think it was just really tough conditions and once in a while as a bowling group you don’t mind that,” Daniel Vettori said as quoted by Zerowicket.

“Just because of the nature of how good those bowling attacks were they probably embellished it a bit. So, you wouldn’t want to play on it every day, but I think for occasional Test matches it’s not the worst thing.”

Vettori gave the example of Travis Head and Kyle Verreynee, who played really good knocks in Brisbane. He said that both of them proved how playing a solid technique helps in scoring runs even on difficult pitches. Vettori also called the bowling attacks of Australia and South Africa two of the best in the world.

“And the wicket did a lot. But I think we saw through Travis Head’s innings, Steve Smith and (Kyle) Verreynne, if you got in you, could score on it,” Daniel Vettori added.