It looks like it’ll be a hot few days of Test match cricket at the Gabba, with temperatures forecast to start at 32 29 degrees Celsius on Thursday, before climbing up to 34 29 degrees by Monday. I would expect it to get rather humid as well as temperatures increase, although it hasn’t been too muggy so far this year. But then we’re only just coming in to summer, so I’d reckon it should start up pretty soon.
We’re still in the worst drought in 1000 years here in Queensland, and with no rain forecast for the next week, I’d say it’s unlikely we’ll be interrupted by one of Brisbane’s famous thunderstorms. Without the rain and clouds around, I’d also expect conditions to be less swing friendly than they might otherwise be. The pitch will be bouncy and quick, but it may not have the movement of a traditional Gabba green top.
In theory this would favour Australia, as I’m sure the English bowlers would prefer to be doing their stuff in cooler temperatures under a cloudy sky, with plenty of movement off the pitch. Whoever wins the toss will bat first … even Nasser Hussain would take that opportunity this year.
