Former Australian paceman Rodney Hogg has accused Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell of providing a wicket with “nothing in it”, following a rain-interrupted first day of the 2017 Ashes series.
On a slowish deck, fifties from Mark Stoneman and James Vince helped England blunt the Australian pace attack to reach 1/127, before a sensational run-out from Nathan Lyon and a Pat Cummins double strike left the visitors on 4/196 at stumps.
The Gabba wicket is known traditionally for its pace and bounce, but was of little help to the home seamers, something that was not lost on the former fast bowler.
“That wicket has got nothing in it. It’s like we presented England at the start of the game – How’s the wicket fellas? What do you want for afternoon tea? What do you want to drink after the game? We’re just the perfect hosts aren’t we? Hogg said on SEN’s The Run Home.
“When we’ve been in England we’ve seen a dry wicket at The Oval, a dry wicket at Lords, then we saw two years ago at Edgbaston when they turned out a green top so Jimmy Anderson could try and get some wickets against us, and we turn out this sort of wicket today?
“It was underprepared, but we’ve got the three quicks and we’re talking about giving them some short stuff, and then we come out and see men playing from the crease.
“When the wickets are faster they won’t be able to get away with that.”
Despite not taking a wicket Nathan Lyon caused plenty of problems for England, repeatedly beating the bat, while also having Vince dropped by wicketkeeper Tim Paine, before running him out on 83.
Hogg said he is looking forward to his battle with English captain Joe Root during the series, and feels the off-spinner will take the most wickets.
“Lyon was sensational. Gee I’m looking forward to this series. He’s going to take the most wickets. He virtually got Vince out because the pressure he built up on Vince, he couldn’t handle him at all,” he said.
“The battle between Root and Lyon is going to be one of the highlights of this series. He was brilliant and bowled us back into the game.”
To hear the full Rodney Hogg chat click below