It wasn't dangerous: Allan Border on 'over the top' criticism of Gabba pitch

Gabba pitch received below average rating [Source: Twitter]

Former Australian captain Allan Border has called the recent criticism of the Gabba pitch on show during the series opener between South Africa and Australia as 'over the top'. 

For the uninitiated, the pitch in Brisbane that was used during the first Test between Australia and South Africa received a 'below average' rating from the ICC. 

Australia defeated South Africa by 6-wickets in the opening Test to take a 1-0 lead in the series. However, what raised eyebrows was the fact 34 wickets fell inside the first 2 days of the Test match. 

It was a fast bowlers' paradise as except Nathan Lyon's four wickets across 2 innings, no spinners were able to pick wickets in the game as the fast bowlers wrecked the batting lineup of the opposition.

After the conclusion of the first Test, Australia's star batter Steve Smith revealed that it was one of the toughest tracks he has batted on in the country down under. Allan Border, however, thinks otherwise.

Here's what Allan Border said: 

“Some of the stuff that was talked about on the pitch was over the top. I mean, it wasn't dangerous for a start. That is not a dangerous wicket."

“They're going on about those bouncers that went flying over (from Nortje) — that was just terrible bowling on a fast, bouncy track. We've all played on pitches like that (at the Gabba). It was just the quality of bowling was there and the batsmen never really held sway." 

“Talking about it being dangerous is just not on. It wasn't the case. It was difficult, but not dangerous."

Australia currently leads the three-match Test series 1-0 with the next Test set to be played during the traditional Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

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