Australia have been urged to groom IPL millionaire Spencer Johnson as a long-term successor to Mitchell Starc.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting backed Johnson, who was the spinner of the Big Bash League final, to become Australia's next left-arm batsman.
At 33 years old, Starc likely has 2-3 years left in his international career.
But Johnson, 28, will be close to the peak of his career if Starc follows that timeline. “You might (think) Mitchell Starc has a few years to go yet,” Ponting said on Channel Seven. “So, with more experience at first-class level, Australian cricket should be aiming to have Spencer Johnson ready to walk into that bench when Mitchell Starc leaves him.”
Meanwhile, day two gets underway in Brisbane despite rain fears and protests that have sparked suggestions of a possible delay.
Australia Day Protest threatens start of Day 2
Fans were banned from the Gabba and the start of the second day of the second Test was temporarily threatened by the Australian Day protest.
It is understood three unruly onlookers, including a shirtless man, chanting “We're on stolen land… always have been and always will be”, raised a security alarm.
Spectators were identified by security but Cricket Australia took precautions by temporarily banning fans from entering the ground.
Police also closely monitored several people protesting outside, and at least one is believed to have been arrested.
Fox and Channel 7 broadcasters were told they could not broadcast from the field of play.
All media was removed from the playing surface – and even outside the boundary rope – 70 minutes into play but returned shortly after.
Play was expected to start on time.
The Australian players arrived at the ground an hour early to avoid the protest and some Cricket Australia staff did not wear the team kit.
More is coming
'Too firm for pink ball': STARC, LYON put GABBA DECK on notice
—Daniel Cherney
Australian bowlers Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon claimed that the Gabba pitch produced for the second Test was not fit for purpose after the West Indies launched an attack on the first day.
From 5-64, the Windies reached 8-266 at stumps after a 149-run sixth-wicket partnership from Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva.
The Test is just the third day-night Test at the Gabba and the first since 2019. The Adelaide Test is usually the only pink ball clash for a home Test in the summer but a scheduling issue meant Adelaide hosted a daily Test last week.
Starc – who took four wickets on day one to pass 350 in Test cricket – said the pitch, which had a grass cover just 3mm thick, was not ideal for a day-night clash.
“We knew it was going to be a bit tough with a new ball. It's a very good wicket. We know that pink balls get soft at some stage and I think the hardness of this wicket started getting soft around the 11th over,” Starc said.
“The ball is what it is. I think now it's about the wicket which I think Adelaide got right because of the ball and we know it gets soft at certain stages depending on the wicket and I think there's a certain cushion to what they're doing in Adelaide and why it's been such a good Test match,” he said. Pink ball test in Adelaide.
“So I think this week is very similar to the match we played Pakistan here with the pink ball (in 2016). In that match also it got soft very early. There were a lot of dead spots because it was very soft. Difficult to score, there wasn't much for the bowlers and I think Pakistan got about 450 chasing 490 in the fourth innings, so it looks like a similar wicket where it's probably a bit flat for the pink ball. I think it would be a nice red ball but it might be Too strong for a pink ball.
Lyon off-spinner expressed similar sentiments when speaking after the game on ABC.
“I'll try not to get into trouble,” Leon said. This is just my opinion. The venue for pink ball Tests is Adelaide Oval due to the competition between bat and ball and the grass left on the wicket. I think this wicket will be a great red ball wicket.
Gabba curator David Sandorski has shaved off much of the grass covering the pitch in an attempt to mitigate another very bowler-friendly pitch like the one used last summer in which Australia beat South Africa in the space of two days.
