Whilst not strictly part of the Brisbane CBD, the Gabba is one of the two major sporting complexes at least within walking distance, or a short taxi or bus ride from the city. Otherwise known as the Brisbane Cricket Ground the name "Gabba" comes from the suburb of Woolloongabba in which the ground is situated. Major sporting activities held at the ground include Cricket and Australian Rules Football, along with Soccer and Rugby Union. The Gabba is the home ground for the Queensland Bulls cricket team.the and the Brisbane Lions AFL team.
The history of the Gabba dates back to 1895, when the land was designated as the site for a cricket ground. The first event conducted there was a cricket match between Parliament and the Press on 19 December 1896. Whilst now the ground is considered one of the premier venues for cricket in Australia, there was no state or international cricket played their until 1931. Aside from Cricket, it has also been a venue for cycling and later greyhound racing and trotting, amongst those other primary sports listed earlier. Over the years the ground has been redeveloped in stages, gradually becoming the modern concrete colosseum beheld today. The seating capacity of the ground is now 42,000. 
I had the good fortune over the weekend to attend the Sri Lanka versus Australia 1st Test. Unfortunately, it was an overcast day and the game was broken by intermittent rain showers. The crowd was also down because of both the rain, and the slow play of the Sri Lankans. The ground is also now fully enclosed, so gone are the old days of "the hill" and drinking until you fell down it. The Australian's won yet again, and now are on a run of 17 matches won at the Gabba in a row, having not been defeated here since 1989!
Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.
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Lucky you! Cricket at the Gabba on a warm Summer's day is fantastic although not that great when it is raining. Years ago, my friend and I went and sat on what was the old hill. It rained and rained so we left, deciding that it would be a wash out. We got to a cafe in the city just in time to hear on the radio that they came back on to play! Not happy! Lol!
ReplyDeleteOh, and we are going to the ODI in February! Can't wait!!!
Cricket. Hummmm. Looks like a cool stadium though! Very shiny.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Gabba is awesome even on rainwashed days - we were there for both ODIs this year, and they were both rain wrecked.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, in 2004, India beat Australia at the ODI in the Gabba - we were there too. So your unbeaten since 1989 maybe inaccurate!!! ;)