Australian bowling coach and former New Zealand spinner Dan Vettori has indicated the Gabba conditions better-suited bowlers but that he has โseen worseโ.
Vettori reflected on similar wins in 2002 against India on grassy wickets at Wellington and Hamilton.
โI played two Test matches where I did not bowl a ball,โ Vettori said.
โThey just pop up from time to time. It is a challenge for a batting group every time.โ
As a former Test bowler who would've spent many hot days out in the field bowling dozens of overs into flat batting pitches, Vettori doesn't think this Test match is a massive deal.
โI just it was just really tough conditions and once in a while as a bowling group you don't mind that.โ
โJust 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.โ
His comments come after the Gabba officially copped a reprimand for a 'below average' pitch from the ICC.
Vettori noted the quality of the bowling was significant in determining the result, indicating some batters were still successful despite the wicket carnage.
โIt was definitely amplified because of the standard of the bowling. People talk about these two attacks being potentially the best in the world.โ
โAnd 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.โ
The MCG curator Matt Page is now under pressure to deliver a good pitch for the second Test of the series. The ICC delivered a demerit point to the Gabba after the first Test for a below average rating.
The last MCG Test has an average rating indicated by match referee David Boon. For this Test MCG chief executive Stuart Fox has indicated Page will prepare a pitch that suits both batters and bowlers.
โAs always, we are aiming to prepare a pitch that provides a good balance between bat and ball.โ
The next Test against South Africa will begin December 26 from 10:30 am AEDT.
