Traditionally, the Woolloongabba Cricket Ground (or The ‘Gabba) has hosted the opening Test of the summer.
This gives Australia a massive advantage. Touring teams, with only a couple of warm up games to prepare, are blown away by the early/late November heat, tropical late afternoon thunderstorms and the partisan crowd.
The Aussies haven’t lost at the Gabba since 1988, when the almighty Windies won by nine wickets (chasing 63 in the fourth innings), starting a 3-1 series win.
Since 1989, Australia has won 19 of 26 Tests, with seven draws. With the Aussies leading New Zealand by 503 runs entering day four, they should make it 20 out of 27. Queenslanders – who love bragging about their sporting prowess – will boast about Australia’s invincible record to the other states.
Two of the most memorable wins came in Ashes years. In November 2002, England captain Nasser Hussain won the toss and decided to bowl first. With a new ball attack including Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones, it wasn’t the worst idea.
After an opening stand of 67, Jones got Justin Langer and the decision seemed justified. Then Jones hurt himself in a fielding mishap and it fell apart for the Poms. Hulking Queenslander Matty Hayden was 186 not out as Australia scored 2/364 by stumps, with captain Ricky Ponting making 123.
Australia led by 167 on first innings with Glenn McGrath taking four wickets and Jason Gillespie and Queenslander Andy Bichel two each. Hayden followed his first innings 197 with 103 as Australia set England 464 early on day four. England was dismissed for 97 in 28.2 overs; McGrath took another four and Shane Warne – one of the few spinners to bowl well at the Gabba – took three.
Four years later was that Harmison ball to Justin Langer. Desperate to reclaim the Ashes, Ponting crunched 196 as Australia declared at 9/602. England folded for 157 (another six wickets for McGrath).
Leading by 445, an unbeaten Langer ton set the Poms 648. They showed a bit more resistance with fifties to Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen, but still lost by almost 300 runs.
So why is Australia so dominant at the Gabba? Playing the first Test there gives them a significant advantage, as touring teams are still rusty and getting used to the heat. Last summer, India was very competitive at the Gabba, which was the second Test after Phillip Hughes’ death forced a summer reshuffle.
While Australia won the Test, India scored 4/311 on the first day in a first innings 408.
The opening slot does have its drawbacks. Usually the Gabba Test is played a couple of days after the Melbourne Cup. With all the media attention on the Cup, the Gabba Test can slip by unnoticed for casual fans. With the NRL and AFL grand finals in October, followed by Bathurst, how many fans are ready for Test cricket in early November?
With Melbourne and Sydney guaranteed the Christmas-New Year slots and Adelaide in good shape with the upgraded Adelaide Oval, there’s a battle between Brisbane and Perth for survival. Usually there are six Tests in a non-Ashes summer (with room for Hobart), though India’s four-Test tour last summer meant Perth missed out.
Perth’s time difference means the WACA Tests air at a TV-friendly time, starting lunchtime and finishing early evening, similar to a day-night international.
This is wonderful for Channel Nine, with more people available to watch the second and third sessions after work. Soon a renovated WACA will share Tests with Perth Stadium, which will strengthen their Test status.
If the Gabba is to compete with Perth, day-night Tests are a ready solution. Not only does it negate the sapping midday humidity, but it would be more convenient for fans. Finish work at 5pm, hop on a bus to the Woolloongabba Busway station and watch the final session.
The later finish will be more attractive to Channel Nine and their army of advertisers, with the Gabba Test coinciding with the end of the rating season.
The Heat’s massive Gabba crowds prove that Queenslanders love night cricket and the Gabba is a more hospitable ground to watch cricket (e.g. not as hot) at night.
In the interim, Australia will continue to wallop international teams struggling with the Brisbane humidity to set up the summer of Test cricket.
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