England first played at the Gabba in February 1933, in a series now recalled for Douglas Jardine’s use of leg theory – Bodyline, to give it the tabloid catchword.
For three days, it was a very close contest. England pulled away on the fourth, largely due to a remarkable innings from Eddie Paynter, batting with a full-blown throat infection. Paynter and Hedley Verity, who would be one of the victims of WWII, added 92 to give England a 16-run lead, and Harold Larwood’s dismissal of Donald Bradman for the second time in the match set up an ultimately comfortable six-wicket victory.
England’s target back then? 160. All these years later, the first Test of the current Ashes series followed a similar pattern. Australia were staring at a sizeable first innings deficit until Pat Cummins joined Steve Smith for what would turn out to be the defining partnership of the match. Cummins, who hit the winning runs in his debut Test at The Wanderers six years ago, showed the composure of a veteran batsman during a stand that realised 66. By the time he was dismissed for 42, Smith was batting so masterfully that he could coax another 53 from the last two wickets.