The Gabba is one of the oldest cricket grounds located in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia.
Established in 1895, The Gabba is owned by the Queensland Government and has a seating capacity of around 37,000.
Also known as the Brisbane Cricket Ground, The Gabba serves as the home ground of the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Bash League (WBBL) and also for the Queensland Bulls in domestic cricket.
Apart from cricket, The Gabba is known to be a multi-speciality stadium which has staged athletics, rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football, Association football, cycling, baseball, pony, greyhound racing and concerts.
The Gabba hosted its first international cricket match, a Test played between Australia and South Africa in December 1931. Under the leadership of Bill Woodfull, Australia won the Test by an innings and 163 runs.
It later staged its first One-Day International (ODI) that featured England and West Indies in December 1979.
The Gabba hosted its first-ever T20 international played between hosts Australia and South Africa in January 2006. Since then, it has staged 10 T20Is so far.
With that being said, let’s have a look at The Gabba T20 records and stats.
The Gabba T20 records and stats
Highest total
The Australia cricket team recorded the highest total at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. During the only T20I of South Africa’s tour of Australia in January 2006, the hosts posted 209/3 in their 20 overs at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. Electing to bat first, Australia rode on Damien Martyn’s 56-ball 96 and Andrew Symonds’ unbeaten 54 off just 26 balls to register a record T20I total at the venue. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 114 in 18.3 overs as Australia won the T20I by 95 runs.
Lowest total
The South Africa cricket team registered the lowest total at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. South Africa were bundled out for 114 while chasing Australia’s 209/3 in the first-ever T20I at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in January 2006. Chasing 210, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals as they later lost the game by 95 runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher top-scored for South Africa with 29. For Australia, Nathan Bracken, Mick Lewis, James Hopes and Andrew Symonds picked up two wickets each.
Most runs
Former Australia cricketer David Warner has the most runs at The Gabba in the T20I format. Between 2009 and 2022, David Warner amassed 145 runs in four T20Is at the Brisbane Cricket Ground at an average of 48.33 and a strike rate of 143.56. The swashbuckling southpaw slammed two T20I fifties at The Gabba. Former Australia captain Aaron Finch features second on the list with 109 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 115.95.
Most wickets
Australia spinner Adam Zampa has picked up the most wickets at this venue in T20 international cricket. The leg-spinner has already bagged seven wickets in just four T20Is at an average of 13.57 and an impressive economy of 5.93. Zampa’s 2/19 against Ireland during an ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 group match is his best bowling figures at The Gabba in cricket’s shortest format. His teammate Mitchell Starc is second on the list with six wickets in two T20Is while Pat Cummins has also claimed six scalps in three games at The Gabba.
Highest individual score
Former Australia top-order batter Damien Martyn registered the highest individual score at this ground in T20 international cricket. Opening the batting, Damien Martyn slammed 96 off 56 balls against South Africa in the only T20I of the series in January 2006. His brilliant knock was laced with seven fours and five maximums. Martyn’s scintillating knock helped Australia post a massive total of 209/3 in their allotted overs. Later, Australia bowled out South Africa for 114 to register a 95-run win in Brisbane.
Best bowling figures
Australia’s star pacer Mitchell Starc has the best bowling figures at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. The left-arm pacer recorded match-winning figures of 4/20 against West Indies in the second T20I of a two-match series in October 2022. Defending 178, Mitchell Starc dismissed Kyle Mayers, captain Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder and Odean Smith to restrict West Indies to 147/8 in their allotted overs. Earlier, David Warner’s 75 and Tim David’s 42 powered Australia to 178/7 in their 20 overs as the hosts won the game by 31 runs.
Highest partnership
Australia’s David Warner and Steven Smith hold the record for the highest partnership at The Gabba in T20 international cricket. David Warner and Steven Smith forged an unbeaten 117-run stand for the second wicket while chasing Sri Lanka’s 117 in October 2019. While Warner scored 60 not out, Smith remained unbeaten on 53 to help Australia chase down the target in just 13 overs. Australia won the second T20I by nine wickets and later clinched the three-match T20I series 3-0.
Photo credit: Imago
