QF WP's Third Test Trip Report - Aust v India, Gabba, 15 Jan 21

[QF WP]

As usual, I down tools to attend the Test in Brisbane - as I have done for the last 30 years. Usually it's the First Test, however this year, the Indian team wanted to flip things around, so instead it's the last Test, starting Friday 15th January (again, a change to he standard starting day of Thursday). Full schedule here: India tour of Australia, 2020-2021 Schedule

Always enjoyable to spend time in the Cricketers Club, have silver service lunches and beers/wine flowing. There has been a group of us going to the match together for over 30 years - used to be my Dad and Uncle, but they are getting long in the tooth to be drinking all day, given their age

I will give live updates, photos and general commentary over the first two days, alas being a father and husband has again curtailed my full attendance.

Also taking a guest as usual and they may also be posting here

 

[QF WP]

No, direct from the CEO of the QCC, Lachlan Furnell:

Restrictions will apply to Day 1 of the Test, being Members plus 1 guest only, to allow as many Members the opportunity to attend. Please understand the Club itself is still operating under government restrictions. All Members purchasing for the upcoming Cricket season through QCC do so with the understanding that there may be times during their attendance where the Club itself is at its maximum capacity (515 pax) as per the current regulations pertaining to indoor venues. Guests who are outside in the stadium seating bowl or entering from the front of the Club, may be asked to wait until patrons from inside have exited before they can enter, to ensure we are adhering to these indoor venue capacity restrictions. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.

 

[QF WP]

Well the day has finally come, for which I am grateful the Test is still happening at the Gabba.

Hoping my house sale does happen today so I can fully relax. It’s been a long last week of packing, removalists, moving furniture to either a storage unit or to our new abode (because a 4 bedroom house doesn’t fit into a 4 bedroom townhouse) and cleaning up - I was there until 1:30am this morning.

also, with COVID, numbers in the Gabba are reduced. There was no way I wasn’t going

 

[Pushka]

Well the day has finally come, for which I am grateful the Test is still happening at the Gabba.

Hoping my house sale does happen today so I can fully relax. It’s been a long last week of packing, removalists, moving furniture to either a storage unit or to our new abode (because a 4 bedroom house doesn’t fit into a 4 bedroom townhouse) and cleaning up - I was there until 1:30am this morning.

also, with COVID, numbers in the Gabba are reduced. There was no way I wasn’t going

Must be the year of the move. Son and DIL are moving today. We will be moving in a couple of months. Going from small to smaller! Son is moving from a townhouse to a large property down south.

MrP is assisting but hoping he doesn't get the call to arms before he has watched the first session!

Fingers crossed for a brilliant game. And for a brilliant house sale. Property moving very quickly in SA due to shortage.

 

[QF WP]

So moving to Arana Hills meant my wife dropping me to the local train station and catching one to South Brisbane, where I was liked 400m to the Cultural Centre bus top and caught a Gabba bus (any bus going through the southern busway will do).
Should be in for the first ball

 

[QF WP]

Must be the year of the move. Son and DIL are moving today. We will be moving in a couple of months. Going from small to smaller! Son is moving from a townhouse to a large property down south.

MrP is assisting but hoping he doesn't get the call to arms before he has watched the first session!

Fingers crossed for a brilliant game. And for a brilliant house sale. Property moving very quickly in SA due to shortage.

Certainly is the year for new beginnings.

Nobody should be interrupting MrP before the first ball.

 

[QF WP]

Off the bus to a sea of people and masks. No mask, no entry.


Handy they were also using the reader - in much quicker.



What it was like for the majority of punters

 

[QF WP]

@Captain Halliday will remember this view, sadly he can’t be here today.



Or these fine wines on Day 1 - Torbreck



So we needed to start with a decent one @Captain Halliday



Damn, have to catch up on play, wasn’t expecting a wicket (or two). Give me 15, entree has arrived

 

[Captain Halliday]

@Captain Halliday will remember this view, sadly he can’t be here today.

View attachment 237945

Or these fine wines on Day 1 - Torbreck

View attachment 237947

So we needed to start with a decent one @Captain Halliday

View attachment 237948

Damn, have to catch up on play, wasn’t expecting a wicket (or two). Give me 15, entree has arrived

Sold out of Runrig early did they?

Disappointed I couldn’t be there @QF WP, but here’s a cheeky cross post to prove I’m not doing it too tough.

Enjoy the day and I look forward to reading all about it.

 

[CaptJCool]

Warner Pictures present

“Gone in a Flash”

 

[QF WP]

Sorry, been busy eating, drinking and organizing settlement of property - now in an hour.

now, where was I up to - the first wicket





very disappointing Davie

 

[QF WP]

Second wicket, the walk of shame by Harris

 

[QF WP]

An idea of the seating in the Bradman Room in the Qld Cricketers Club. Those with eagle eyes will recognize (even from the back), the famous Australian (Qld) fast bowler sitting just beyond the glass pillar. The shock of white hair helps and his very unusual full arc bowling motion.

 

[QF WP]

Okay, so the menu for Day 1:

 

[QF WP]

Entree:



Time for the next bottle, going up the list.



Did someone mention lunch?

 

[QF WP]

Time to make it a long lunch (the joys of knowing the F&B Manager and CEO well, we were given a spare table at the second sitting



and to help it down, a charcuterie board:



And as some tables hasn’t shown up, we were offered their desserts

 

[QF WP]

So onto some cricket for a change:

Marnus gets his ton

then almost straight away, gets out:

 

[QF WP]

A muted day - nowhere near as many people in the Club, so bad for their business but great for space. Face masks required anytime one leaves their table and is moving around the Club. Firmly enforced.
Great staff as usual.

heading home for a long sleep

 

[moa999]

Great photos.
And a decent day overall for both sides.

Good to see they didn't change things substantially. Both dining venues at the SCG became all inclusive packages starting at $150/ head this year.

In previous years the old members was a $50-60 buffet with individual bought alcohol in a 2hr sitting. Newer Noble stand has been all inclusive since opening, but it's setback from the ground by a walkway.

 

[QF WP]

Sorry I wasn’t able to post anything yesterday as my iPhone stopped working. But it was useful to pair my iPad and its got the photos, I’ll post tonight.