What is the problem with the Gabba pitch? Why is everyone talking about it?

The Gabba cricket ground in Australia's Brisbane has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons. Many have described the pitch as dangerous and below par after the first Test between Australia and South Africa ended in two days.

Australia won the game by six wickets after South Africa managed 152 and 99 in their two innings. Australia made 218 in their first innings.

ICC demerits Gabba pitch: The Gabba pitch received one demerit point after the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday rated the pitch for the first test between Australia and South Africa "below average".

• ICC match referee Richie Richardson 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. I found the pitch to be 'below average' as per the ICC guidelines since it was not an even contest between bat and ball," he said.

What happened: Australia won the Test match by six wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series, but the pitch at the Gabba came severely under fire. A pitch, with a heavy green top, saw 34 wickets falling in 2 days and batsmen struggling.

• The pitch was criticised by many, including South Africa skipper Dean Elgar who called the pitch "unsafe". "There was some seriously steep bounce with the old ball - you're kind of on a hiding to nothing as a batting group," he said.

Steve Smith labelled the Gabba pitch as the most difficult wicket he has batted on in Australia. "As a batter I had like it to do a little bit less," Smith said.

Second shortest Test in Australia: In total, only 866 balls were bowled in the match, which makes it the second-shortest Test ever played in Australia, reported ESPN Cricinfo. Bowlers took a wicket every 25.5 balls, the second-best strike rate in a Test match ever (with a minimum of 30 wickets).

What do demerit points do? Cricket venues can be suspended for a year if they pick up five demerit points and for two years if they pick up 10. Demerit points remain active for a five-year period.

Criticism from former players: Former Australian player Brad Hogg ridiculed the wicket and described it "as quick as a back yard Test on Christmas Day".

Australia might not have to bat again at this rate. Game is as quick as a back yard test on Christmas Day. #AUSvRSA #AUSvSA

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) December 18, 2022

• Indian batting great Virender Sehwag was more scathing in his attack and accused the Aussies of "mind-boggling hypocrisy".

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

• Indian wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik said that this is how Test cricket on steroids feels like.

34 wickets in less than two days 🫣

This is how Test cricket on steroids feels like! #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/COqv3EcG8u

— DK (@DineshKarthik) December 18, 2022

2nd Test: The second Test of the series will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26.