Gabba pitch provides small advantage to Aussies: Hussey

Sydney: Michael Hussey, Australia’s middle-order veteran, is confident of a strong performance against the Proteas in the Gabba Test, as no side has succeeded in winning at Brisbane since the 1988 West Indies team.

Hussey doesn’t expect the Proteas will take a great deal of time to adjust to the idiosyncrasies of what many of the Australians regard as the best pitch in the nation, mostly because it refuses to let them leave town with a defeat in their luggage. “I don’t want to let out any secrets, to be honest. I’d like them to find that out for themselves after the toss,” Hussey said. “I think any new conditions that you haven’t played in, it takes time to adapt. They’re a class team and I’m sure they’ll adapt very quickly. But there are things different and unique about the Gabba. Hopefully there is a small advantage to us.” The South Africans are the number one Test team in world cricket but none of them have played a Test in Brisbane, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. The last time South Africa played in the Queensland capital was in 1963, when Graeme Pollock began his brief but brilliant career. Since the last defeat in 1988, Australia has won 17 Tests at the Gabba, drawn six and lost none. Australian pitches in general and the Gabba in particular allow players to attack on the up once they settle down. Proteas captain Graeme Smith has admitted Brisbane remains somewhat of a mystery to his side. ANI