The Ashes: Top 5 moments at the Gabba
The Brisbane Cricket Ground, also known as the Gabba, is an iconic sports stadium in the state of Queensland in Australia. The inaugural cricket match at the venue was held on 19 December 1896 between Parliament and The Press. The stadium first staged a Test between Australia and England on the 1932/33 tour and has grown to become the traditional opener for any Ashes series down under.
Also Read: The Gabba's insanely cool pool deck makes its debut during the first Australia-Pakistan Test
Today, the Gabba hosts both Australian rules football and cricket with domestic teams Brisbane Bears and Queensland playing there respectively. It has become a stronghold for Australia against the tourists, often suited to their own playing styles. Here are five memorable moments from Ashes encounters at the venue.
#5 Harmison's ill-fated wide
England arrived in Brisbane for the first Test of the 2006/07 Ashes series after clinching the urn in the dramatic 2005 series.
Steve Harmison had famously drawn blood from Ricky Ponting in the first Test of the 2005 series at Lords. Having inspired the nation, he and the rest of the England team were optimistic about their chances down under during the ensuing winter.
However, the former world number one bowler began the 2006/07 Ashes series with a delivery so wide that it was taken by captain Andrew Flintoff at second slip. The wide was a sign of things to come as England were subjected to a humiliating 0-5 whitewash.