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.
Overall, it has staged 68 Tests, 80 ODIs and 11 T20Is so far. With that being said, let’s have a look at The Gabba Test records and stats.
The Gabba Test records and stats
Highest total
The Australia cricket team holds the record for the highest total at The Gabba in Test cricket. During the first Test of England’s tour of Australia in 1946, the Donald Bradman-led hosts posted a mammoth total of 645 in their first innings after electing to bat. Captain Donald Bradman (187), Lindsay Hassett (128) and Colin McCool (95) helped Australia record the Test total at the venue. Australia later bowled out England for 141 and 172 in their two innings to win the Brisbane Test by an innings and 332 runs.
Lowest total
The India cricket team recorded the lowest total at The Gabba in Test cricket. India were bundled out for 58 in their first innings after Australia posted 382/8d in Brisbane in 1947. Captain Lala Amarnath top-scored for India(22) while Chandu Sarwate (12) was the other batter to reach double digits. For Australia, left-arm medium Ernie Toshack was the wrecker-in-chief with bowling figures of 5/2. After Australia enforced follow-on, India were bowled out for 98 in their second innings as the hosts won the first Test by an innings and 226 runs. Under the leadership of Donald Bradman, Australia won the five-match Test series 4-0.
Most runs
Former Australia cricket team captain Ricky Ponting scored the most runs at this ground in cricket’s longest format in Brisbane. Between 1996 and 2012, Ricky Ponting amassed 1,335 runs in 17 Test matches at an average of 63.57. The right-handed batter slammed four centuries and 10 fifties at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in Test cricket. Ponting’s former teammate Michael Clarke features second on the list with 1,030 runs in just 10 matches at a staggering average of 103 with five hundreds and two half-centuries to his name.
Most wickets
Legendary Australia spinner Shane Warne bagged the most wickets at The Gabba in Test cricket. The former right-arm leg-spinner scalped 68 wickets in just 11 matches at an average of 20.30 between 1993 and 2006. He claimed seven four-wicket hauls and three fifers at this venue in Brisbane in Test cricket. Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath is second on the list with 65 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 21.75.
Highest individual score
Former Australia cricketer Michael Clarke holds the record for the highest individual score at The Gabba in Tests. Batting at number 5, Michael Clarke slammed an unbeaten 259 against South Africa in their first innings of the first Test in Brisbane in November 2012. Michael Clarke’s magnificent double century was laced with 26 fours to help Australia post 565/5d after they bowled out South Africa for 450. South Africa scored 166/5 in their second innings as the Brisbane Test ended in a draw.
Best bowling figures in an innings
Legendary New Zealand all-rounder Richard Hadlee registered the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test at this venue in November 1985. Richard Hadlee recorded match-winning figures of 9/52 to help New Zealand bowl out Australia for 179 in their first innings. The former right-arm pacer dismissed Kepler Wessels, Andrew Hilditch, David Boon, Allan Border, Greg Ritchie, Wayne Phillips, Greg Matthews, Craig McDermott and Bob Holland. New Zealand won the Brisbane Test by an innings and 41 runs. Led by Jeremy Coney, New Zealand later clinched the three-match Test series 2-1.
Best bowling figures in a match
Richard Hadlee also holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at The Gabba in Test cricket. Richard Hadlee took 15 wickets during the first Test of New Zealand’s tour of Australia in 1985. While Hadlee picked up nine wickets for 52 runs in the first innings, the right-arm fast bowler claimed six wickets for 71 runs in the second innings. Hadlee’s incredible bowling performance helped New Zealand win the Test by an innings and 41 runs.
Highest partnership
Former England cricketers Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott recorded the highest partnership at The Gabba in Test cricket. During the first Test of England’s tour of Australia in November 2010, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott forged an unbeaten 329-run stand for the second wicket to power England to 517/1d in their second innings. Opening batter Alastair Cook slammed 235 not out while Jonathan Trott remained unbeaten on 135. The Brisbane Test later ended in a dull draw.
Photo credit: Imago
