BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 18: David Warner of Australia is seen walking from the field after losing his wicket to Kagiso Rabada of South Africa during day two of the First Test match between Australia and South Africa at The Gabba on December 18, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The ICC have confirmed that the Gabba's pitch for the first Test between Australia and South Africa - which was wrapped up inside two days - has been rated as below average.

The ICC rates every pitch that is played on in an international fixture through their panel of match referees, with the overall behaviour of the pitch across the course of the match taken into account.

Described as a "green monster" before play began, the Gabba saw a bowler friendly pitch have the Test ended inside two days.

Only one innings - Australia's first - would go to more than 200, with Travis Head and Kyle Verreynne being the only batsmen in the match to make a half-century, with Verreynne making 64 out of the Proteas' 152 in the first innings, while Head made 92 out of 218 in the Australian first innings.

South Africa were then skittled for 99 in the second after being 6 for 99, before Australia chased down 34 for the loss of 4 wickets.

34 wickets inside two days play led ICC match referee Sir Richie Richardson to suggest the pitch was too far in the favour of the bowlers.

"Overall, the Gabba pitch for this Test match was too much in favour of the bowlers," Richardson said.

"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 West Indian great stopped short of rating the pitch as poor though, which would have earned the ground a demerit point.