Second Test, Australia v England, 4-8 December 2025

[QF WP]

As usual, I down tools to attend the Test in Brisbane - as I have done for the last 30 years+. Enjoyable to spend time in the Cricketers Club, have silver service lunches, wine and beers flowing. There has been a group of us going to the match together - clients and friends.

I will give live updates, photos and general commentary over the next three days.

Day 1 - going with our chief bridesmaids boyfriend. Will be interesting to have an Englishman with me.

 

[QF WP]

My wife’s best friend (our Chief Bridesmaid 22 years ago) and her boyfriend decided to have their visit to Australia to coincide with the Second test.

Met up with other English friends at The Pig n Whistle @ King George Square. Before we get on the bus to the Gabba

 

[Katie]

I hope you get to see Sid, @QF WP! Ask him about his European holiday. Due to his holiday, he couldn't work the bar at my recent birthday party, but we had the pleasure of his help at FIL's wake last week.

 

[QF WP]

As usual, the internet is inside so had to wait until we had eaten lunch to start posting.

Getting out from the crowds and the walk up the entrance.



Samantha as usual handing out our tickets recognised me, greeting me by name and welcoming me.

We were met by Molly (the new Restaurant Manager) as Jacob has moved on. She showed us to our table - a share table with another member and his guest.

Today’s menu and as usual, wines by Torbreck @Captain Halliday.

 

[QF WP]

I organised a beer for the first ball and found that England had won the toss and were going to bat first.

Entrees:

My Day 1 guest is a vegan, looked really good:




But what a start for my meal:

 

[Captain Halliday]

As usual, the internet is inside so had to wait until we had eaten lunch to start posting.

Getting out from the crowds and the walk up the entrance.

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Samantha as usual handing out our tickets recognised me, greeting me by name and welcoming me.

We were met by Molly (the new Restaurant Manager) as Jacob has moved on. She showed us to our table - a share table with another member and his guest.

Today’s menu and as usual, wines by Torbreck @Captain Halliday.

View attachment 484053

View attachment 484054

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Shame the Dan Murphy price error guy doesn’t work there.

Those Woodcutters were below $15/btl IIRC.

 

[QF WP]

The view from my table as the first ball is bowled:



Then we had some wickets. The Club erupts in jubilation.

First one:



Second one:

 

[QF WP]

Time for some lunch:

Vegan option (bit disappointed in the size for the price paid)



My non-vegan option:



Sadly the only red I had today was a glass of Struie. My normal table were also circumspect and didn’t buy the expensive reds. Must be cutting back

We got the bill to find they’d put drinks to our table that weren’t ours. No way my table mates drank 16 between them. Fun to sort out however.



It’s a small world in Brisbane. Both of my table mates and I knew common people, so we took photos and sent them.

 

[CaptJCool]

Glad the Poms are making a game of it !