The Gabba: A look at key Ashes Tests in history

Rarely has an Ashes combatant gained so much momentum from a draw as England did the last time they played at the Gabba.

The Aussies had the tourists on their knees after building a huge first-innings lead of 221 thanks to a monstrous 307-run stand between Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin.

The Test was Australia’s for the taking. But in the following 152 overs of play, England lost just one wicket en route to posting an astounding 1-517.

After England declared, the Aussies trudged from the Gabba looking nothing like the cock-a-hoop mob they had been early the previous day.

The swing in momentum was so pronounced that Australian cricket was in crisis by the end of the series, the home side having suffered three innings defeats.

Such is the importance of the opening Test at the Gabba – it so often sets the tone for the remainder of the Ashes contest, and has done so through the rich history of contests between these two countries.

Professor Sam Mellick CBE has been a Gabba member for over 50 years, and remembers the first Test he ever attended at the ground, the opening Test of the 1946/47 series against England.

“I remember my first Test very well,” he said.

“I grew up in North Queensland and moved to Brisbane to study in 1943 during the war, when there wasn’t any Tests.

“The first opportunity I got was in 1946 when Wally Hammond was captain of England, and of course Don Bradman was the captain of the Australian team.

“I couldn’t wait, and went and sat on the hill under the old stand and it was absolutely incredible, I was there the whole time.

“The Gabba in those days had a little wooden fence around it, and when Bradman hit the ball it hit that fence about two seconds later, and it was a magnificent sound.

“Bradman made 187 and the Australians over 600, and as England came out to bat there was a terrific storm, and the wicket as they say was a sticky wicket.

“We got them all out, enforced the follow on and won handsomely. I was hooked.”

The dominance has carried on in recent years, and in 2006 Australia crushed the confidence of England and set up an incredible 5-0 series whitewash by thumping them by 277 runs at Brisbane.

Four years earlier, the Aussies were even more dominant, embarrassing England by 384 runs before going on to win the Ashes 4-1.

This year’s Gabba Test will make or break the Aussies. Unless they manage to gain the ascendancy from the start of the series it could be a long summer for the home team.

Undoubtedly, the Aussies love playing in Brisbane, and the fans love watching them.

Dr David Backstrom became a member during that same 1946/47 Test, and loves the feeling of walking in on day one.

“The first Test I went to was after the war against England, when I had just become a junior member,” he said.

“I love the anticipation and excitement, it’s a big deal being there on the first day of a series against the Old Enemy.

“Basically, my love of cricket keeps me coming back, I’m a fanatic. I’m always hesitant to leave unless I missed a crucial wicket, or a great innings. I have to be there every day of the Test, if I can.”

The Gabba historically has been one of the best grounds in the world for cricket due to the fact it offers something for all players.

Seam bowlers are rewarded for their toil with good pace and carry together and enough movement off the deck to keep the batsmen honest.

Swing merchants delight in the humid conditions which are more conducive to swerve through the air than any other Australian ground.

Batsmen can play their shots with confidence safe in the knowledge that the pitch provides consistent pace and bounce.

Some of the most memorable innings in Ashes history have been played in Brisbane, as both Dr Backstrom and Professor Mellick remember.

“I’ve seen Bradman twice, and he was dominant in that first Test (1946/47) and that was the best individual performance I’ve seen,” he said.

“But one that really stands out in my mind was Tony Greig’s 110 against Lillee and ‘Thommo’ when they were at their peak, it was a phenomenal performance from Greig.”

Professor Mellick, unsurprisingly, also nominates seeing Bradman as his individual highlight during his 50-plus years as a member and enjoyed Bradman’s irrepressible teammate Keith Miller but also reserved praise for one of England’s finest.

“One that I have a strong memory of is David Gower,” he said.

“He reminded me of Bradman, he was a left-hander, stood upright and everything he did was graceful. He was a very impressive batsman.”

Professor Mellick fondly remembers one of an individual battle that took place in the 1962/63 series, as fleeting as it was.

“I remember watching Norman O’Neill, who was a wonderfully powerful batsman,” he said.

“Even as a member we’d go over to the hill for the atmosphere, standing under the scoreboard near the mango trees.

“I can recall Fred Trueman – magnificent bowler that he was, very fast – bowling to O’Neill.

“Trueman bowled a couple of rockets, and O’Neill hammered both of them to the fence – he hit them so hard – and then hit another one.

“When he was caught off the bowling of Trueman the crowd nearly went mad, they wanted to see a lot more fours.”

Even spin bowlers can prosper at the Gabba, with canny practitioners exploiting the lift and quick turn on offer to those prepared to rip the ball.

Indeed, it was the most prosperous venue for legendary Australian leg spinner Shane Warne, who snared 68 wickets in just 11 Tests at the ground.

The even contest between bat and ball historically fostered by the Gabba pitch was never more apparent than in the famous Tied Test between Australia and the West Indies in 1960.

In that match, both sides recorded large first innings totals to design an intriguing contest. Australia were set 233 to win and looked to be home at 6-226 with all-rounders Richie Benaud and Alan Davidson batting well.

In a remarkable twist, Australia gave up three run outs in a matter of overs to hand the West Indies a surprise reprieve.

It was not just the most exciting match ever played at the Gabba in its 117-year history but perhaps also the best Test ever.

While it is wishful thinking to believe this month’s Ashes opener can possibly replicate such fervour, I expect it to be far more closely fought than many are predicting.

Australia improved markedly over the course of the recent series in England, particularly with the bat. They will be favoured by the home conditions and bolstered by parochial support from Aussie fans.

The Gabba is the ground which most suits this Australian side after the WACA. Should they defeat England in Brisbane to record their first Test victory in 10 attempts since the start of the India tour in February, the confidence earned could propel them to a boilover.