The iconic The Gabba stadium is all set to commence the Big Bash League 2023-24 season with Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars match. The venue will host 5 home matches of Brisbane Heat during the season. Meanwhile, fantasy players are keen to know the insights of the venue. So, here we have provided The Gabba Brisbane pitch report for the BBL 2023-24 season and T20 records at the venue. Also, take a look at the last T20 match scorecard at Brisbane Cricket Stadium.
The Gabba in Brisbane has been a historic venue hosting international matches since the 1930s. It witnessed the first-ever T20I match in 2006 and has hosted a total of 10 international T20s to date. In the Big Bash League, it serves as the home ground for Brisbane Heat, featuring in 5 home games every season. In the 2021-22 season, Brisbane Heat faced a setback, losing all 5 games at The Gabba. However, the 2022-23 season was a turnaround, with the team winning four out of the 5 games at their home ground.
Brisbane Stadium T20 Records (BBL 2022-23)
In the last BBL season, The Gabba witnessed high-scoring encounters, with an average score of 179 across the 5 matches. Notably, the Brisbane Heat batted first in all 5 games and managed to defend the total in 4 of them. However, all four of Brisbane Heat’s victories at The Gabba last season were closely contested, with each win secured by a margin of less than 16 runs. The only loss Heat suffered at The Gabba during the last season came against the Perth Scorchers.
- Matches Played: 5
- Won by the team batting first: 1
- Won by the team batting second: 4
- Biggest score while batting first: Brisbane Heat – 224/5 vs Sydney Sixers
- Lowest score while batting first: Brisbane Heat – 155/6 vs Perth Scorchers
- Biggest total chased: Perth Scorchers chased 155 vs Brisbane Heat
- Lowest Score Defended: Brisbane Heat defended 162 vs Hobart Hurricanes
- Brisbane Stadium average 1st innings score in BBL 2022-23: 179
- Brisbane Stadium average 2nd innings score in BBL 2022-23: 172
- Best figures for a Pacer: Mark Steketee (BRH) – 4/34 vs ADS
- Best figures for a Spinner: Matthew Short (ADS) – 3/14 vs BRH
- Highest score by a Batter: Nathan McSweeney (BRH) – 84(51) vs SYS
- Total wickets taken by Pacers: 47 in 5 matches (9.4 wickets per match)
- Total wickets taken by Spinners: 11 in 5 matches (2.2 wickets per match)
The Gabba Brisbane Pitch Report for BBL 2023-24
The Gabba has a bouncy pitch which suggests pacers will have a say in the initial overs. However, the pitch remains batting-friendly as good bounce invites batters to time their shots and go over the rope with ease. Spinners can also play their role in the middle overs, however, they don’t take many wickets on this surface. In the last BBL season, spinners, on average, took 2 wickets per match at The Gabba.
A score of 170 can be considered a par score at The Gabba, Brisbane. Past T20 records at The Gabba suggest that chasing teams have lost more times, but it doesn’t mean that chasing a target is a bad idea here. The last BBL season saw close games, with targets almost being chased down in every match. The decision of the toss may vary upon strategies.
The Gabba Brisbane Average Score in T20
The average score at this venue in the last BBL season was 179. However, when considering all T20 matches played at the venue, the average 1st innings score stands at 166.
Brisbane Weather Forecast during BBL 2023-24
The opening match in Brisbane scheduled for December 7 between Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars is expected to have clear weather. However, later matches at The Gabba may face weather-related interruptions. Below is the weather report for all five match days as per Accuweather. (Note: Weather reports are not 100% accurate)
| Date | Match | Rain Percentage |
| December 7 | Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars | 1% |
| December 27 | Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder | 57% |
| January 1 | Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers | 61% |
| January 7 | Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes | 40% |
| January 10 | Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers | 40% |
The Gabba Last T20 Match Scorecard
The most recent T20 match at The Gabba took place between Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars on January 22, 2023. The encounter was a high-scoring affair, with Heat setting a formidable total of 188 on the board. In response, Melbourne Stars put up a valiant effort but fell just 5 runs short of the target. The Stars scored 184 runs in a closely contested match, ultimately losing by a narrow margin of 4 runs.
| Brisbane Heat: 188-4 (20) | Melbourne Stars: 184-3 (20) |
| Sam Hain: 73*(41) | Thomas Rogers: 41(20) |
| Jimmy Pierson: 57*(43) | Marcus Stoinis: 36*(23) |
| Usman Khawaja: 24(18) | Hilton Cartwright: 33*(24) |
| Luke Wood: 4 – 0 – 38 – 2 | Mitchell Swepson: 4 – 0 – 23 – 2 |
| Nathan Coulter-Nile: 4 – 0 – 29 – 1 | James Bazley: 2 – 0 – 15 – 1 |