Unravelling the legacy of The Gabba: Iconic venue in Australia

The Border Gavaskar Trophy is a test series between India and Australia which is played once in every two years. The hosts are switched on rotational basis, that is, both the teams get to host once in every four years. The 2024-25 BGT will be played in Australia and the matches are scheduled in the most iconic grounds of the country. The venues for the five test matches are: Optus Stadium, Adelaide Oval, The Gabba, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground. 

Today, in this article by zap cricket, we will talk about one of these iconic venues- The Gabba, also known as Brisbane Cricket Ground. 

It is the home ground for Queensland Bulls in domestic cricket and Brisbane Heat in BBL and WBBL. The ground was established in 1895 and holds a capacity of 37,000 spectators. The two ends of the stadium are: Stanley Street End and Vulture Street End. 

Pitch report and Outfield

The pitch offers good pace and bounce. It is a grassy track, hence the ball will skid for the first few overs. However, it becomes a batting track once the game proceeds. The playing field is 170.6mx 149.9m and the outfield is lush green, allowing the ball to travel fast. 

Total 66 Test matches have been played at this venue. Out of which, teams batting first have won 26 times, teams batting second have won 27 times and the match has ended up in a draw on 13 occasions. 

First matches played at The Gabba

• First test- 27 November- 3 December, 1931 Australia vs South Africa 
• First ODI- 23 December, 1979 England vs West Indies 
• First T20I- 9 January, 2006 Australia vs South Africa 
• First women’s match- Test match between Australia and England, 1-4 January, 1985

Test records at The Gabba 

Most career runs: Ricky Ponting - 1335

Highest individual score: 259* by Micheal Clark 

Most centuries: Greg Chappell-5

Highest batting average: 111.77 by Greg Chappell 

Most career wickets: Shane Warne- 68

Best bowling figures in an innings: 9/52 by Richard Hadlee

Highest innings score: 645 by Australia against England 

Lowest innings score: 58 by Australia against England 

Highest partnership: Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott- 329*

ODI records at The Gabba

Highest total: 324/7 by Australia against West Indies

Lowest total: 71 by Pakistan against West Indies

Most runs: Dean Jones - 513

Most hundreds: Dean Jones-2

Most wickets: Glenn McGrath- 21

Best bowling figures: Chris Woakes- 10-0-45-6

Most dismissals: Adam Gilchrist- 20

Most catches: Micheal Clarke- 9

T20I records at The Gabba

Highest total: 209/3 by Australia vs South Africa 

Lowest total: 114 by South Africa vs Australia 

Most runs: David Warner- 145

Most sixes: Glenn Maxwell- 8

Most wickets: Adam Zampa-9

Best bowling figures: Mitchell Starc - 4-0-20-4

Most dismissals: Alex Carey-4

Most catches: Jason Behrendorff- 3