The Gabba: Australia's fortress and crucial to an Ashes victory

The Gabba is a fortress for the Australian Test cricket team. The Aussies have not been defeated at the home of Queensland cricket for 25 years.

Not since a rampant West Indian line-up trounced Australia by eight wickets in November 1988 has a touring side knocked off the home team.

The Aussies need to feed off that history and produce a barnstorming start to this summer’s Ashes if they are to cause a huge upset and defeat England.

The Brisbane wicket traditionally offers plenty of assistance to the quicks early in the match, although against South Africa last summer and in the 2010-11 Ashes it was uncharacteristically flat.

But I would expect to see the Gabba surface resembling the pitches of yore next month to aid the Aussie quicks in continuing their recent ascendancy over England’s top order.

The Gabba wicket is likely to be far more lively than any of the low, slow pitches served up during the recent Ashes.

It will suit Australia’s pacemen as well as stroke makers Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and David Warner, who prefer the ball coming on to the bat.

That is not to say the conditions at the Gabba will disadvantage the touring side. The venue is normally conducive to swing bowling which will please England spearhead James Anderson.

Meanwhile, towering English quicks Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Boyd Rankin and Chris Tremlett should all extract sharp lift from the hard surface.

The English batsmen will cherish the true pace and bounce of the pitch and the quick outfield which provides tremendous value for shots.

Undoubtedly, the Gabba is one of the best venues for cricket on the planet. There could be no better ground at which to kick start this summer’s hugely-anticipated Ashes series.

The ground has faithful who have been members for more than 50 years, supporting both the national cricket side, the Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Lions in AFL. They come in droves and they return each year just the same.

England are sure to have an impressive following during the first Test starting on November 21 thanks to the loyal and entertaining fan troupe the Barmy Army.

Given the raucous Barmy Army are capable of generating noise equivalent to a crowd ten times their size, the Aussies will be hoping that local fans turn out in huge numbers at the Gabba.

The last two Ashes Tests at the ground have both boasted wonderfully-entertaining opening days. In 2010, Aussie quick Peter Siddle brought the house down when he claimed a hat trick on his birthday.

The roar from the Gabba crowd when he trapped Stuart Broad LBW to complete that rare feat will be a lasting, vibrant memory for all of those who were in attendance or watching on TV.

In 2006, the first day began with fickle English paceman Steve Harmison delivering one of the worst balls in Ashes history.

It was an ominous sign for England, who finished the day on their knees after Australia surged to 3-346 on the back of a master class from Ricky Ponting, who made 137 not out.

This summer’s Gabba Test has scarcely been more important to the outcome of a series.

Local hero Ryan Harris will be the lynchpin Australia, with the Queenslander having dominated the English batsmen in the recent series.

When Harris bounds to the crease with the new cherry in his grip to deliver his first ball next month, the Gabba will surge with energy.

Australian fans will pray that the 34-year-old quick can stay healthy enough to provide the same level of excitement the following summer when India comes to the Gabba.

The Aussies have a fierce rivalry with India, the most-supported team in international cricket, and will be desperate to atone for their 4-0 Test whitewash on the subcontinent this year.

But first, Australia must deal with their oldest foes. Bring on the Ashes!