Long-time Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell Jnr believes Graeme Smith’s South Africa are the best-equipped team to break Australia’s 24-year Test dominance in Brisbane.
Australia have not been beaten at the Gabba since 1988 and traditionally take a springboard into each Test summer with victory on Mitchell’s fast and bouncy wicket.
The head groundsman has enjoyed “ideal” conditions to prepare the pitch for the first Test against world No.1 South Africa, starting on Friday, and predicts another quick pitch which will provide something for everyone.
“We’re hoping for a bit of pace and bounce and early movement and then flatten out to a good batting wicket which will then crack up a bit over the last couple of days,” Mitchell told AAP on Monday.
The Proteas have not played in Brisbane since they returned to international cricket post-apartheid but Mitchell didn’t believe they would take too much adjustment.
He felt their world-class pace attack, spearheaded by speedster Dale Steyn, would lap up the seaming and swing-friendly conditions which are similar to what they experience at home.
“I guess if any visiting side is going to handle it, they would probably handle it better than others,” Mitchell said.
“Their conditions are similar to ours. They’ve got similar soils and climate.
“It will be a fantastic battle.”
Even as Australia have struggled since the retirement of greats like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden they’ve continued to thrive in Brisbane, winning seven of the last nine Tests at the Gabba.
Mitchell believes the home side’s remarkable Brisbane record is largely due to quality pace attacks who could make the most of the new ball.
“And we’ve obviously had some very complete and competitive teams over the years with not too many weaknesses,” he said.
“But when you talk about weaknesses there’s not many in that South African team.
“Both attacks are quality attacks and it’s the batters which will tell the tale.”
South Africa’s last Test appearance in Brisbane was way back in 1963 when former groundsman Jack Farquhar cut the pitch with a scythe and rolled the wicket with a horse-drawn roller.
