ICC rates Gabba pitch for first Test between Australia and Proteas as 'below average'

The pitch in Brisbane for the first Test between Australia and the Proteas has been rated as "below average" by the International Cricket Cricket Council (ICC).

The tourists lost by six wickets after being bowled out for 152 and 99 with the Test lasting less than two days and 34 wickets falling between both sides.

Proteas skipper Dean Elgar slammed the state of the surface which was green and offered excessive bounce to the pace bowlers of both teams.

ICC match referee Richie Richardson agreed with Elgar's assessment and the venue has been given one demerit point.

"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," said Richardson.

"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."

According to the ICC's pitch and outfield monitoring process, demerit points will remain active for a rolling five-year period.

"When a venue accumulates five demerit points (or crosses that threshold), it will be suspended from hosting any international cricket for a period of 12 months, while a venue will be suspended from staging any international cricket for 24 months when it reaches the threshold of 10 demerit points."

All eyes will now turn to the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne as the Proteas look to get back into the three-match series.