Startling detail in Mitchell Starc photos come to light after first Test

The Aussies were so concerned about the state of the pitch at the Gabba that even Mitchell Starc was padded up as they chased just 34 for victory in the first Test. The green surface in Brisbane played all sorts of tricks on batsmen and resulted in 34 wickets falling in less than two days.

It marked just the second time in history that a Test in Australia has lasted less than two days, and the first since 1931. After 15 wickets tumbled on the first day, a further 19 fell on day two.

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Australia bowled South Africa out for just 99 in their second innings, leaving themselves the seemingly straightforward chase of 34 for victory. But the pitch continued to wreak havoc as the Aussies lost Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith and Travis Head before limping over the line for a six-wicket victory.

In startling scenes, fans noticed Starc was wearing his pads while conducting post-match interviews, suggesting he was ready if he needed to come in to bat. With four wickets down and batting at No.9, another three wickets would have needed to fall before Starc came to the crease.

Some suggested Starc was simply going to be the night watchman if another wicket fell so close to the end of the day's play. However Scott Boland acted as night watchman in the first innings and would likely have done the same in the second.

Whether or not Starc was wearing the pads as a joke remains to be seen, but it said a lot about the controversial pitch. The ICC has since deemed the surface 'below average' and hit the Gabba with one demerit point. If a venue receives five demerit points in a five-year period it can be stripped of the right to host international matches.

ICC hands down official verdict on Gabba pitch

On Tuesday night, match referee Richie Richardson said the Gabba pitch did not facilitate "an even contest between bat and ball." He said: "Overall, the Gabba pitch for this Test match was too much in favour of the bowlers. There was extra bounce and occasional excessive seam movement. The odd delivery also kept low on the second day, making it very difficult for batters to build partnerships."

Some experts suggested the pitch was lucky not to be slapped with a 'poor' rating like the MCG was in 2017. The pitch for the Boxing Day Test that year was widely condemned following a dour draw in which only 24 wickets fell over five days of play.

Speaking after the match, South Africa captain Dean Elgar suggested the pitch was dangerous. He even revealed he went to the length of asking umpires about whether it was safe to keep playing.

"You've got to ask yourself the question: Is that a good advertisement for our format? Thirty-four wickets in two days. A pretty one-sided affair I would say," he said.

"I am a purist of this format and we want to see the game go four or five days. The way it started to play with some seriously steep bounce with an old ball ... you are on a hiding to none as a batting unit.

"I don't think it was a very good Test wicket. I did ask the umpires when KG (Kagiso Rabada) got (Travis) Head out down leg. I said, 'How long does it go on for until it potentially is unsafe?' Nortje was bowling those short ones that were flying over our heads.

"I know the game was dead and buried. It was never to try and change (the result) or to put a halt to the game."

But Aussie captain Pat Cummins disagreed, suggesting Elgar was trying to have the game called off to prevent South Africa from losing. He said:"If you're going to lose the match, you'd probably try anything, wouldn't you? It was fine. There was some sideways movement, a little bit of up and down bounce but ... there's no balls jumping off a length or anything like that.

"Two days probably isn't ideal. A lot of sideways movement and today a little bit of up and down bounce as well. Personally, I kind of 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. No way (was it dangerous), it was fine."

with AAP

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