‘More in them’: December key to Gabba success

The pros and cons of a pre-Christmas Test in Brisbane will be played out this week, with poor weather forcing Australia to train indoors but expectations of a “fresher” Gabba pitch set to hand Pat Cummins’ bowling crew the ideal setting to hit India hard from Saturday.

Losses have come in the past two Tests Australia has played in Brisbane in January, against the West Indies just 11 months ago and to India in 2021 when Rishabh Pant helped reel in a monster chase of 329.

But in between those two losses, Australian victories came in December Tests and Gabba curator David Sandurski freely admitted on Wednesday that the four weeks difference in timing could have a significant impact on the wicket he’s able to prepare.

Former England captain, and Fox Sports commentator, Michael Vaughan urged the Australian bowlers to “use the short ball regularly” having found success in the second Test in Adelaide with the tactic, and a December pitch could be the best time to do it.

“Different times of year definitely makes it different, it can be a slightly different pitch,” Sandurski said ahead of Saturday’s third Test start.

“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.”

“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.”

Australia has only played five Tests at the Gabba after Christmas since matches were first played there in 1931. Three of those five matches resulted in Australian losses, with the move to open the Test summers in Brisbane having become something Australian players looked forward to.

The Gabba will host the second Test of next year’s Ashes, a day-night affair in the first week of December, after the series opens in Perth, which is as close to a series opener the Australians will get in Brisbane, with the future of the stadium as a Test venue beyond next summer under a cloud.

There has only been a single Sheffield Shield game at the Gabba so far this season to indicate what the pitch could provide. Stormy weather around Brisbane has forced the Australians to train indoors and it is also forecast for later in the week that could impact preparation.

In the Shield match between Queensland and Victoria, a pink-ball game, 15 wickets fell on the opening day before Victoria posted 439 runs in their second innings to post a big win.

“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.”