Aravinda de Silva 167 matched Moody's 106 and Mark Taylor's 164 at the Gabba

by Premasara Epasinghe

CRICKET: Australia have many grounds and the Gabba hosted the first Test on 27th November 1931 and Gabba became Test Crickets 24th venue, when South Africa played Australia. Bill Woodful won the toss and elected to bat, and at the fall of Ponsford's wicket Bradman walked into bat. He was dropped at 11 and 15. Bradman settled down and played a memorable 226 at Gabba.

History was created at Gabba the 498th Test Match (Not 50th as is commonly believed) in South Brisbane on 9th December 1960 Worrell won the toss and elected to bat.

The West Indies scored at a rapid rate with Sobers reaching 132 in 174 minutes with 21-boundaries. West Indies 'batting machine' went into action - Worrell (65) Solomon (65) Alexander (60) Hall (50) saw the total to 453, as left-arm paceman Alan Davidson claimed 5/135 for Australia. Australia replied with 505. (Norman O' Neill 181) Bob Simpson (92) Collin Mc Donald (57).

In the second innings West Indies scored 284. Australia were set a target at 233 in 5 hrs 10 mts. At 92 for 6 spectators begun to leave Gabba.

What a funny game cricket is?

There blossomed a late 134-run partnership, between Benaud (52) and Davidson (80) before latter was run out.

As the last over began, there was tremendous excitement not only at Gabba, but also all over the cricketing world.

That giant fiery paceman, Wesley Hall, bowled six of the eight permissible deliveries as 5 runs were scored and two of the three wickets fell to run-outs Off the seventh over, one run needed for Australian victory. Jan Meckiff throw from square leg hit the only stump he could see to run-out Joe Solomons, thus terrific hitting was seen at Gabba becoming the venue of the first Test.

The first ever tied Test ended at Gabba grounds in this manner. The ground tied Test was recorded after another 554 Tests, when Australia played India, in the Chennai, a couple of years later.

Sri Lanka also have happy memories at Gabba, in the first Test played at this venue. Arjuna Ranatunga won the toss and invited Aussies to bat, they scored 375 for six. (Tom Moody 106) Mark Taylor (164) Sri Lanka made a spirited reply 426. Aravinda de Silva scored a fine 167.

The Gabba is also known for many cricketing milestones and happenings:

Three Bradman 'Ducks', end of the road for paceman Ian Meckiff's career for "Chucking" or "Throwing", Kim Hughes 283, and his resignation all happened here.

Further, Eddie Paynters courageous return from the hospital bed in 1933 to win a Test is cricket history at Gabba." Kevin Mitchell, curator of the Gabba.

Kevin Mitchell mentioned of the many great players, who performed well at the Gabba. Peter Burge, Dong Walters, Alan Border, Wesley Hall, Craig, Mathew Hayden, Jeft Thomson, Stuart Law, Ian Healy, Ian and Greg Chappel brothers, Vivian Richards, are some of the few names that come to my mind.