Established: 1895
Capacity: 40,000
Floodlights: Yes
Ends: Stanley Street End, Vulture Street End
Home Team: Queensland
Head Groundsman: Kevin Mitchell Junior
Test History: 50 Tests; 30 home wins; 8 away wins; 11 draws; 1 tie
Last 10 Tests: 7 home wins; 3 draws
Last 10 tosses: 3 batted first (1 win, 1 draw, 1 defeat); 7 bowled first (1 win, 2 draws, 4 defeats)

Overview
The Brisbane Cricket ground, situated in the Woollongabba area of Brisbane and universally known by its nickname the 'Gabba, has been extensively redeveloped over the last 10 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 Junior, took over the role from Kevin Senior 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 18 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.

Last time out
Winning the toss and opting to bowl first proved a ludicrously off-the-mark move on visiting skipper Mahela Jayawardene's part.

Australia's batsmen had a veritable run-feast, with Phil Jaques, Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke cashing in with tons and Andrew Symonds and Ponting chipping in with half-centuries as the hosts posted 551 for four declared.

The Aussie pacemen then took the reins bowling Sri Lanka out for 211 and then 300 in the follow-on, winning by an innings and 40 runs. Lee snapped up eight wickets in the match and debutant Mitchell Johnson walked away with two scalps in the first knock and couple more in the second.

They said...
"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."
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."
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 has 1120 runs from 12 matches at an average of over 70 (against a career mark of 58). Michael Clarke and Matthew Hayden also average over 70 in Brisbane. Stuart Clark's first Test at the 'Gabba was a good one: he picked up seven wickets against England for just 93 runs.

Brett Lee's record is even more impressive: not only does he average near on 20 with the ball but he also averages an astonishing 106.50 with the bat. Two not-outs boost that figure, but it's surely noteworthy that two of Lee's three Test 50s have come under Brisbane skies, while his lowest score here is 43.

Weather Forecast
Moderate temperatures throughout the five days are on the cards, with thunder showers ready to put paid to the opening day. Thereafter though, the sun will take the helm, bar Sunday on which scattered showers might have their say.

Conclusion
A good ground to lose the toss. Unusually, most captains have opted to field first at Brisbane in recent years.

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.

The combination of brisk first-innings runs and assistance for all types of bowlers at various stages means Brisbane is a result pitch.

And when there is a result, in recent years it's invariably been an Australian victory, and usually a resounding one.

Australia's outstanding record at the Gabba has seen it become a fixture as the opening Test of the summer, and the hosts usually get off to the best possible start when the weather stays fair.

Dave Tickner