Name that ground. 1,2,3,4...

#1 - The Gabba Gabba Hey

The Brisbane Cricket Ground, also known as The Gabba Gabba Hey, is a major sports stadium in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. It is named after lyrics in the song 'Pinhead' by American punk rock band The Ramones.

The land on which the ground sits was first set aside for use as a cricket ground in 1895. The first cricket match was held on the site on 19 December 1896 between Parliament and The Press. The BCG was not used for interstate or international cricket until 1931. The first Sheffield Shield match scheduled for The BCG was to be played between 31 January 1931 and 4 February 1931. However, it was washed out without the captains' even bothering to toss a coin. The first cricket Test match at The BCG was played between Australia and South Africa between 27 November and 3 December 1931.

Over the years, The BCG has hosted athletics, Australian rules football, baseball, concerts, cricket, cycling, rugby league, rugby union, soccer and pony and greyhound races.

However, it was in 1977 when The Ramones toured Australia that The Gabba Gabba Hey acquired the famous soubriquet for which it has become renowned all over the cricketing world.

Legend has it that Joey Ramone (former RHB and RFM bowler) was walking around the boundary edge during a Sheffield Shield game with Johnny Ramone, when he felt compelled to respond to the somewhat dull batting performance he was watching. Not content with the traditional 'Have a go ya Mug!' Joey yelled at the somnambulant batsman 'Gabba Gabba Hey' in tribute to the Woolloongabba area the ground is situated in.

Johnny picked up on this chant and soon the whole crowd were yelling at the by now startled batsman. So, taken were they with the success of the chant that Da Brudders immediately co-opted the chant into the lyrics for their chart bound hit 'Pinhead'.

Between 1993 and 2005, The Gabba was redeveloped in six stages at a cost of $128,000,000 AUD. The dimensions of the playing field are now 170.6 metres (east-west) by 149.9 metres (north-south). The seating capacity of the ground is now 42,000. In its appearance the Gabba now almost resembles a mini Melbourne Cricket Ground complete with light towers and a gigantic modern grandstand ringing the ground providing an intimidating and noisy atmosphere for visiting teams.

The Jardine Report:
"Gabba gabba we accept you, we accept you, one of us. Gabba gabba hey, gabba gabba hey!....".