The cricketing world is abuzz with excitement looking ahead to the next installment of The Ashes. Fans and players pay tribute to the storied past of this fierce and famous long-standing rivalry down under. With memorable performances and record-breaking feats etched in the annals of cricket, two primary venues stand out: The Gabba in Brisbane and Perth Stadium. This story takes a look at some of the incredible accomplishments of those who have paved the way on these two hallowed fields. It leaves the door open for what should be another thrilling chapter in Ashes history.
The Gabba, which opened its gates in 1895, has been the scene of so many great moments – 22 Ashes Tests. With a capacity of only 37,000 this small venue has hosted Australia defeating England no less than 13 times. England have only managed to win four Tests here. Perth Stadium, the new(ish) kid on the block opened in 2018 with the highest capacity of all at 61,266. Both locations will be determinative in future battles, including on the war’s biggest front—the 2024 election.
Memorable Performances at The Gabba
The Gabba has provided the scene for some of the greatest individual heroics in Ashes history. One standout moment came on November 9, 2012, when Michael Clarke scored an unbeaten 259 runs against England, solidifying his place as one of Australia’s greatest batsmen. It was the skill of Clarke that shone through, without question. At least he had shown that pressure was no obstacle for him, making an indelible mark on the contest.
Another legendary show-stopping act at The Gabba was carried out by Shane Warne on November 25, 2004. Warne’s exceptional bowling saw him take eight wickets against England, a feat that contributed significantly to Australia’s victory. His prowess on the art of spin bowling has enshrined him on the top of the cricketing world.
The Gabba was also treated to a brilliant farewell innings from David Warner on November 29 2019. Warner’s explosive 335 no longer stands alone as the highest individual score in Ashes history at this rugged venue. While his style of play was aggressive, he excited fans and created magic and mystery that still dances in the minds of spectators today.
“In 140 Tests this was the greatest I have played in,” – Shane Warne
Key Moments at Perth Stadium
Though Perth Stadium is the newest of the three, it has rapidly become an indispensable venue for cricket lovers. More recently, on December 5, 2013, Mitchell Johnson helped power Australia to an Ashes victory with a man-of-the-match 7-wicket performance over England. Johnson’s intimidating and aggressive bowling drew fear and confusion from the English batsmen, and most importantly brought to light his necessity in the Australian bowlers’ arsenal.
The third best performance was also a famous one, by England opener Alastair Cook on November 25 2010, when he scored an astonishing 235. Cook’s innings was pivotal in England’s quest for victory and remains one of the highlights of his career during the Ashes.
The stadium is also famous for hosting Kevin Pietersen’s brilliant score of 227 runs on December 3, 2010. Pietersen single-handedly pulverized the bowlers and turned the tide back to England’s favor. It was a memorable performance that served to confirm his genius, as one of the greatest batsmen of his generation.
The Rivalry Between England and Australia
The palpable, deep-rooted rivalry between England and Australia has created moments of magic away from the pitch and just as colourful and important on the pitch. Michael Vaughan recalls a particular match that epitomized this fierce competition:
“The crowd was full of Australians and you couldn’t hear the English – but England bowled first and all of a sudden, they got a few quick wickets and there were pockets of St George’s flags that started to gather.” – Michael Vaughan
This sentiment is echoed by Simon Jones, who experienced the intensity firsthand:
“As I was carried off, someone in the crowd shouted that I was a ‘weak Pommie’ and threw a can of lager at me.” – Simon Jones
Mitchell Starc, known for his aggressive bowling style, reflects on his approach to the game:
“I’m still running in trying to attack the stumps (and) trying to swing it. Some days it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t know (the reason why). I can’t tell you.” – Mitchell Starc
Leave a Reply