Gabba pitch report

Dave Tickner takes a look at what England can expect in Brisbane when The Ashes kick off.

Dave Tickner takes a look at what England can expect in Brisbane when the first Test of this winter's Ashes series kicks off.

The Brisbane Cricket ground, situated in the Woollongabba area of Brisbane and universally known by its nickname the Gabba, has been extensively redeveloped over recent years. The distinctive grassy banks have been replaced with modern stands and, while some of the ground's charm may have been lost in the work, the Gabba now offers top-class facilities for players and spectators alike. The Gabba's most famous moment occurred in 1960/1 when it hosted the legendary tied Test between Australia and West Indies. Traditionally, the Gabba wicket has been a batting heaven. The track is known for staying flat and true for the duration of the five days of a Test match. The fast bowlers may get slight assistance early on, but that is the most they can expect to receive. There is often a little more there for the spinners, with the extra bounce as likely to hoodwink the batsman as turn. The current groundsman, Kevin Mitchell Jnr, took over the role from Kevin Snr and continues to produce consistently fair tracks that offer something for everyone. But especially, it seems, Australians; the home side haven't lost at 'Fortress Gabba' in 21 Tests stretching back to 1988. That formidable record may be one of the reasons the ground has established itself as the host for the first Test of the Australian summer.

England's last visit

A Ricky Ponting-inspired Australia crushed England by 277 runs to start their progress to a 5-0 Ashes whitewash. Ponting hammered 196 in the first innings as Australia racked up 602-9dec. England collapsed to just 157 all out in reply with Glenn McGrath picking up six wickets. Ponting decided not to enforce the follow-on and added an unbeaten 60 before declaring again to set England a fanciful victory target of 648. Despite an improved showing (Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen both made scores in the 90s), England never threatened to save the game as they were dismissed for 370 on the final morning. But the game is perhaps best remembered for the very first delivery, delivered straight into second slip's lap by Steve Harmison. The tone was set.

What they say...

"The pitch was really quick and bouncy, and the overhead conditions added to what was happening. There were overcast conditions leading up to it, which hampered preparations a bit, and that continued through the match. Once those overhead conditions with humidity were about, it's ideal conditions."
Curator Kevin Mitchell Jr on the recent Shield game at the 'Gabba in which Queensland were bowled out for 75 and 96 "Just because we had one good day of weather it doesn't mean we are over the line - if there is more rain the pitch could certainly be a bit underdone."
Mitchell hopes for sunshine "The 'Gabba is very good to bowl spin on. It bounces, it turns, it's fast ... you get results there. If you beat someone, they're beaten. There's no way out."
Former Australia spinner Stuart MacGill "The pitch is great. It's the thing I enjoy about the ground because it is the same - everything else about the ground has changed since I first started playing."
Former Aussie opener Matthew Hayden "It's a great place to bowl spin because of the pace of the wicket. Once you commit to a shot you can't adjust and that's great for the spinners. Bounce is just so important. At the Gabba, day one is sometimes the best day to bowl on."
Australia legend Shane Warne

Happy hunting ground?

Ricky Ponting enjoys his trips to Brisbane, with four tons and 1196 runs from 14 matches at an average of 66 (against a career mark of 54). That record improves further in Ashes Tests: 403 runs in three matches with two centuries and a three-figure average. Michael Clarke's Gabba record is sensational. He's stroked 509 runs in six matches at almost 85 apiece. Of the Aussie bowlers, Mitchell Johnson is the man to fear. He has 17 wickets in three Tests here at an average of just 16 apiece and a pretty scary strike-rate of 32. For England, the cupboard is pretty bare. Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen made 92 and 96 respectively in the second innings here four years ago after first-dig failures. That's as good as it gets. James Anderson also played in that Test, but his match figures of 1/195 tell the tale there.

Weather forecast

Bad weather is usually a touring side's best bet in Brisbane, and there's plenty of talk of rain disrupting this game. It looks like rain will have more impact pre-match than during it, with forecast rain in the next couple of days in danger of leaving the pitch a tad undercooked. The forecast for the match itself suggests sunshine and a bit of cloud cover with rain unlikely to return until after the cricketers have packed off to Adelaide.

Conclusion

A good ground to lose the toss - only four of the last 10 captains to call correctly has gone on to taste victory. Unusually, most captains have opted to field first at Brisbane in recent years. Seven of the last ten to call correctly has done so, but it's notable that on only one of those occasions was the skipper wearing a Baggy Green. Perhaps a decision more based on fear of getting rolled over than any consideration of the pitch. It can be the only explanation for Nasser Hussain's infamous 2002 call. That said, it will be a brave captain who wins the toss and bats first here with every chance of a juicy, damp track for the start of the match. The fact Queensland were bowled out twice for under 100 here less than a month ago may be on both captains' minds. Generally the pitch is good to bat on, but bowlers who hit the seam can get response with the new ball, and the Gabba is a happy hunting ground for swing bowlers when the clouds gather. Top-class spinners are often crucial as the pitch flattens out for batting as the match progresses. Shane Warne collected Test-best figures of eight for 71 here against England in 1994, and took 68 wickets in all from 11 matches in Brisbane. The combination of brisk first-innings runs and assistance for all types of bowlers at various stages means Brisbane is a result pitch; the two games in the last 10 to end in a draw were all significantly curtailed by the weather. And when there is a result, in recent years it's invariably been an Australian victory, and always a resounding one. Their slenderest victory margin in the last 10 matches is 149 runs. The other seven triumphs comprise two by over 300 runs, another by over 200, and four by an innings - two of them by an innings and 100-plus. That's not to say it's impossible for a touring team to win at the Gabba. The West Indies managed it in 1988. Their XI? CG Greenidge, DL Haynes, RB Richardson, CL Hooper, IVA Richards (capt), AL Logie, PJL Dujon (wkt), MD Marshall, CEL Ambrose, CA Walsh, BP Patterson. That's all it takes!