The Woolloongabba Cricket Ground, aka THE GABBA, was established in 1895 , with a capacity of 37,000, lush grassy banks, and beautiful Moreton Bay fig trees for shade. The first match was played on 19 Dec 1896 between ParliamenT and The Press, resulting in a tie with 61 runs each.
The first Test Match was on 27 Nov 1931 against South Africa. The first player to score a Test century at the Gabba was the great Donald Bradman when he scored 226 against South Africa in 1931.
The grass and fig trees have sadly been replaced by modern concrete stands and facilities – capacity has also been increased to 42,000, now known as the Brisbane Cricket Ground. ( Photos SLQ).
Comments:
Bruce G: Just as Lang Park will always be Suncorp to us baby boomers, the Brisbane Cricket Ground will always be THE GABBA
John G: I remember listening on the ABC to the tied test. Legendary commentator Alan MacGilvray had left the ground to catch a flight when he thought Australia would easily win. Little did he imagine what would follow. In the last over Australia needed seven runs with three wickets in hand including the captain and legend Richie Benaud. Mayhem was to follow with the Aussies losing two wickets before the last ball was to be bowled with them needing one run to win the match. As shown in the famous photos Windies fieldsman Joe Solomon ran out Ian Meckiff as the last two Aussie batsmen scrambled for a single and victory. They didn’t make it, resulting in the first ever tied Test.
Darcy M: It was more interesting as racetrack for Galloways. Much more interesting. Still have an original racebook.