‘They have the audacity to lecture us’ – Former Indian opener lashes out at cricket experts after Australia vs South Africa Test ends in two days

The pitch at the Gabba in Brisbane has come under the scanner after the first Test between Australia and South Africa ended in just two days. A total of 15 wickets fell on Day 1 and 19 wickets on Day 2 in the match which turned out to be the second shortest Test match in Australia. After the game got over, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag took to Twitter and lashed out at the Australian experts for lecturing India on what kind of pitches should be prepared.

Taking to Twitter, Sehwag wrote, “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 end of test cricket, ruining test cricket and what not. The Hypocrisy is mind-boggling.”

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 end of test cricket, ruining test cricket and what not. The Hypocrisy is mind-boggling . #AUSvSA

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 18, 2022

Coincidentally, the shortest Test in Australia was also played between Australia and South Africa, at Melbourne in 1931-32. It is also the shortest Test of all time and involved the Proteas being bowled out for 36 and 45.

I don’t think it was a very good Test wicket: Dean Elgar

Meanwhile, South Africa captain Dean Elgar also wasn’t happy with the way the wicket behaved and asked the umpires if the green Gabba wicket was unsafe for playing Test cricket.

“You’ve got to ask yourself if that’s a good advertisement for our format. 34 wickets in two days, pretty one-sided affair I would say,” the Proteas captain told reporters. “I don’t think it was a very good Test wicket, no.”

The teams will meet next at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day for the second Test of the three-match series. The series is extremely important for both sides in terms of qualification to the World Test Championship Final.

Australia are currently placed first in the points table with a points percentage of 76.92. After their loss in the first Test, South Africa slipped to the third position having a points percentage of 54.55 and India climbed to the second position with a points percentage of 55.77 following their win over Bangladesh in the first Test.