(Reuters) – Following is a factbox on the initial test match between Australia and England, which begins on Thursday:
WHERE?
The Gabba, Brisbane – Capacity: 42,000
The Gabba, named for the Woolloongabba suburb that encircles it, has a been a fortress for Australia from the 28 evaluations since the West Indies would be the last traveling team to win there in 1988.
England last won at the ground in 1986 – only their second test victory in Brisbane since World War 2 – ahead of the contemporary cement jar replaced the wooden racks and open grass banks.
Steve Harmison’s first-ball delivery to second slide famously set the tone for Australia’s 2006-07 whitewash and Mitchell Johnson’s devastating day two spell 2013-14 triggered a second.
A lively, greentop wicket is expected in the beginning, offering pace and bounce for the seamers, together with twist coming into play as an attacking option in case it remains dry and the strip pops later in the match.
WHEN?
Nov. 23-27. Play begins at 1000 local time (0000 GMT)
AUSTRALIA (World ranking: fifth)
Squad – David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith (captain), Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc
Coach: Darren Lehmann
ENGLAND (World ranking: third)
Squad – Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes
WHAT THE BOOKMAKERS SAY*
MATCH OFFICIALS
Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pakistan), Marais Erasmus (South Africa)
TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand)
Match referee: Richie Richardson (West Indies)
HISTORY
Previous Australia v England evaluations in Brisbane
1933 England 6 wickets
1936 England 322 runs
1946 Australia inns & 332 runs
1950 Australia 70 runs
1954 Australia inns & 154 runs
1958 Australia 8 wickets
1974 Australia 166 runs
1978 England 7 wickets
1982 Australia 7 wickets
1986 England 7 wickets
1990 Australia 10 wickets
1994 Australia 184 runs
2002 Australia 384 runs
2006 Australia 277 runs
2013 Australia 381 runs
CURRENT TOUR
Second test Dec. 2-6 (0330) Adelaide Oval (Day-Night)
Third test Dec. 14-18 (0230) WACA, Perth
Fourth test Dec. 26-30 (2330) Melbourne Cricket Ground
Fifth test Jan. 4-8 (2330) Sydney Cricket Ground
* Odds due to www.skybet.com
Developed by Nick Mulvenney, Tracking by Peter Rutherford
source http://www.southwalescricket.co.uk/factbox-cricket-first-ashes-evaluation/