Australia‘s Test record at the Gabba pre- and post-Christmas offers a stunning contrast, which is why the home side’s captains in the past have pushed for a match in Brisbane early in the summer rather than in the New Year.
As reported by the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the Aussies have suffered a defeat only seven times in 61 Tests played before Christmas at the Gabba, while they have lost thrice in five Tests played at the venue after Christmas — two of which have come in the last three years.
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After India breached the Gabba fortress on their 2020-21 tour to win the series in a thrilling finish, the West Indies registered a nerve-jangling eight-run win earlier this year. Both the Tests were played in January. The Aussies hadn’t lost a Test in Brisbane since 1988 before losing to India three years ago.
It’s little surprise then that the venue is hosting the third Test of the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy early in the summer in an attempt to ‘bounce’ India out, with the five-match series tantalisingly poised at 1-1.
The point to play early in the season was reiterated by the Gabba pitch curator, David Sandurski, when he was asked what to expect from the track for the Test beginning December 14.
“Different times of year definitely makes it different; it can be a slightly different pitch,” said Sandurski. “Pitches later in the season might have a bit more wear and tear while ones early in the season usually are a bit fresher and might have a bit more in them.”
The pitch-curator said the timing of the Test doesn’t change the way the ground staff goes about preparing the pitch. The objective is always to prepare a “traditional Gabba wicket”.
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“Generally speaking, we still prepare the pitch the exact same way every time to try and get the same good carry, pace and bounce that the Gabba is known for. We are just trying to make a traditional Gabba wicket like we do each year,” added Sandurski.
Brisbane has seen some rain over the past couple of days, which “meant Australia were forced to train elsewhere on Wednesday” — the report said.
It added that there is “a further chance of rain and storms late on Friday”, which is the day before the Test begins.
Sandurski’s update on the nature of the wicket was nothing less than a “warning” for the top-order batters.
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He told AAP that the track will be similar to the one that saw 15 wickets falling on the first day of the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Queensland in November, which also witnessed batters willing to dig in scoring runs later in the game. But it was a day-night match played with the pink-ball.
“The aim is to be similar to that wicket where there was a good balance between bat and ball,” Sandurski said. “Hopefully there is a bit in it for everyone.”
