Fun in the sun
The semi-tropical weather brings an extra edge to the cricket - and to the spectators
Benjamin Golby
01-Nov-2014
Get chatting with a local or three at the Gabba • Getty Images
Cricket in Brisbane offers a bit of everything. The wicket at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, known only as the Gabba, often proves a belter, resulting in a cavalcade of runs and aggressive strokeplay. The bounce of the pitch can assist spinners, with the city proving a particularly happy destination for Shane Warne. Most dramatically, Brisbane's humidity and surly clouds assist swing bowling, even in ODIs. Recently Nuwan Kulasekara swept through Australia's top order to remove the side for 74.
The city's semi-tropical weather is certain to impose itself on a trip to the cricket. The conditions invariably are warm and sticky, dictating loose clothing along with regular consumption of water. Rain can sweep in during the afternoon but rarely lasts for long. Equally arresting are the people. Queenslanders can be brash and excitable, like all Australians, but are generally always friendly and open. It would take an uncommon tourist to get through an evening's cricket without some sort of chat to a sociable local.
The venue
The Gabba is a short trip south from the city. It draws its odd name from the surrounding suburb of Woolloongabba. While it once featured an infamous hill, broad Moreton Bay fig trees, and a dog track for greyhound racing, it's now a thoroughly modern stadium. Enclosing the ground is a ring of tiered stands, complete with fast-food vendors and bars serving the local XXXX Gold mid-strength beer. It hosts cricket through the summer and football in the winter, having long since banished the dogs.
The Gabba is a short trip south from the city. It draws its odd name from the surrounding suburb of Woolloongabba. While it once featured an infamous hill, broad Moreton Bay fig trees, and a dog track for greyhound racing, it's now a thoroughly modern stadium. Enclosing the ground is a ring of tiered stands, complete with fast-food vendors and bars serving the local XXXX Gold mid-strength beer. It hosts cricket through the summer and football in the winter, having long since banished the dogs.
The most distinctive feature around the Gabba is its confetti of blue, gold and maroon seating, designed by an algorithm to give the illusion of a perpetually full ground (it works if you don't think about it). All up, the Gabba is a comfortable, amiable and functional venue in which to enjoy cricket.
Great matches
Australia v England, 2014
For the first time on their bleak Ashes tour last summer, England, with 300 runs on the board (and Australia 244 for 9), looked at a win. Respite and a bit of dignity beckoned before James Faulkner made the first stupefying heist of his ODI career and ran the total down with three balls to spare. The marvellous advent of Faulkner was balanced by the depths of the tourists' humiliation.
Australia v England, 2014
For the first time on their bleak Ashes tour last summer, England, with 300 runs on the board (and Australia 244 for 9), looked at a win. Respite and a bit of dignity beckoned before James Faulkner made the first stupefying heist of his ODI career and ran the total down with three balls to spare. The marvellous advent of Faulkner was balanced by the depths of the tourists' humiliation.
Australia v India, World Cup 1992
The tight match at the Gabba from the last World Cup here featured a fine innings of 90 from Dean Jones, matched by Mohammad Azharuddin's 93. India were hampered by the archaic rain-disruption laws, and following a collapse in a late charge for runs, the No. 11 was run out a few strides shy of tying the game on the final ball.
The tight match at the Gabba from the last World Cup here featured a fine innings of 90 from Dean Jones, matched by Mohammad Azharuddin's 93. India were hampered by the archaic rain-disruption laws, and following a collapse in a late charge for runs, the No. 11 was run out a few strides shy of tying the game on the final ball.
Top performers in ODIs
Most runs Dean Jones, 513 at 57 | Top score David Warner, 163 v Sri Lanka
Most wickets Glenn McGrath, 21 at 16.28 | Best bowling Chris Woakes, 6 for 45 Australia
Most runs Dean Jones, 513 at 57 | Top score David Warner, 163 v Sri Lanka
Most wickets Glenn McGrath, 21 at 16.28 | Best bowling Chris Woakes, 6 for 45 Australia
Home team
Queensland floundered for a long time in Australian cricket, taking nearly 50 years to win the Sheffield Shield and contributing few international representatives. This has changed in recent decades, for the side has flourished in the domestic competition and many of Australia's key players have emerged from the Sunshine State. While Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson have both left their home, new hopefuls such as Ben Cutting, Chris Lynn and Alister McDermott may soon make their mark for the national side.
Queensland floundered for a long time in Australian cricket, taking nearly 50 years to win the Sheffield Shield and contributing few international representatives. This has changed in recent decades, for the side has flourished in the domestic competition and many of Australia's key players have emerged from the Sunshine State. While Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson have both left their home, new hopefuls such as Ben Cutting, Chris Lynn and Alister McDermott may soon make their mark for the national side.
Major players
Bill Brown | Don Tallon | Wally Grout | Craig McDermott | Ian Healy | Matthew Hayden | Andy Bichel | Shane Watson | Mitchell Johnson
Bill Brown | Don Tallon | Wally Grout | Craig McDermott | Ian Healy | Matthew Hayden | Andy Bichel | Shane Watson | Mitchell Johnson
Benjamin, a resident of Melbourne, is writing a thesis on "Music about Donald Bradman"