Australia are unbeaten in their past 10 Gabba Tests, but it’s going to take more than just turning up to beat the No.1-ranked South Africa in the first Test starting on November 9.
Pace spearhead Peter Siddle took 6-54 including a hat-trick in England’s first innings in the drawn first Ashes Test of 2010/11 in Brisbane.
His likely new-ball partner James Pattinson claimed six wickets in last summer’s Gabba Test against New Zealand, and also picked up 8-61 at the Gabba last month in a Sheffield Shield clash.
Even offspinner Nathan Lyon, who’s struggling for form and is a possible 12th man, has a seven-wicket haul in his bag from last summer’s Gabba Test.
“Everyone always talks about how it is a home for fast bowlers, a successful place for fast bowlers to go,” Siddle says.
“But having that knowledge, it’s not an easy place …
“You can’t just turn up there and bowl and think you’re going to do well as a fast bowler.
“(But) that advantage of past Test matches there will keep us in good stead.
“James Pattinson has had success up there last year in the Test match and again this summer in the Shield game.
“If we can all work together we can start off well.”
South Africa captain Graeme Smith admits the Gabba is an unknown factor for the Proteas, who haven’t played a Test in Brisbane since 1963.
Pattinson, who made his Test debut in Brisbane last summer, says he’s taking confidence from a solid build-up at Shield level with 16 wickets in three matches.
Siddle and Pattinson will also play for Victoria in their Shield game against Western Australia starting on Thursday at the MCG.
“Any opportunity to play for Australia is an exciting time, especially against the number one team,” Pattinson says.
Pattinson recalled the pain of missing out on selection for the Test series in South Africa in November 2011.
“It probably held me in great stead for last summer. It got me back playing some Shield cricket,” he said.
“It’s a bit of deja vu. I’ve had the same sort of preparation, the same lead-in, to this first Test match.
“It’s something that I’m looking forward to and it gives me some good confidence.”