The Brisbane pitch that produced a two-day result in the first Test between Australia and South Africa has officially been rated below average by the ICC.
ICC match referee Richie Richardson was tasked with the rating and with the below average finding handed down, the Gabba earns its first demerit point.
Demerit points remain active for five years and when a venue accrues five or more demerit points across that period, it will be suspended from hosting any international cricket for 12 months.
Richardson said his rating was decided on because the pitch couldn’t produce “an even contest between bat and ball”.
“Overall, the Gabba pitch for this Test match was too much in favour of the bowlers,” Richardson said via a statement.
“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.”
The below average tier is the third worst rating match referees can hand out, with poor and unfit – which come with three and five demerit points respectively - the more severe options.
The Gabba last received an average pitch rating for the 2021 Test against England, with previous ratings of good and very good coming against India in January 2021 and Pakistan in November 2019 respectively.