Gabba curse awaiting visiting England team for Ashes opener

SYDNEY - The Gabba in Brisbane, which will host the first Ashes Test starting on November 25, is being viewed as the most dreaded venue for the visiting England team, as Australia has not lost a Test in the stadium since 1988-89.

Australia had lost the 1989 Brisbane Test against West Indies, when a team led by Viv Richards had thrashed the home team by nine-wickets.

However, since then it has been Australia all the way with 16 wins and five draws from 21 matches, News.com.au.

Australia’s winning margins have also been extraordinary, as they have registered six wins by an innings and three by 10 wickets, while the closest margin was by 123 runs.

The last time both the teams played in Brisbane was in November 2006, in which Australia swept to a landslide 277 run win.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting and opening batsman Justin Langer had scored centuries, and were supported by a six-wicket haul by fast bowler Glenn McGrath.

Batting wise, Australians have in total have scored 16 centuries to three by their rivals over the past decade.

The only visiting fast bowlers to take five wickets in an innings here over the past decade are India’s Zaheer Khan (5-95 in 2003-04) and New Zealand’s Chris Martin (5-152 in 2004-05) and Chris Cairns (5-146 in 2001-02). (ANI)