Kevin Mitchell - GABBA Grounds Manager
Premasara EPASINGHE
Kevin Mitchell being interviewed by Epasinghe
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Brisbane Cricket Ground - GABBA - and Kevin Mitchell are synonymous -
inseparable. He is the Grounds Manager / Curator at Gabba, popularly
known as the "Best Little Ground in the World". It is closely lined with
Kevin and their family tree. His beloved father, served as the
groundsman in the 1980's. Presently, Kevin's son too is serving at Gabba,
as a groundsman assistant, therefore, it is all a family affair.
Taking the above facts into consideration, I presume, MITCHELL's have
created a world record in the history of cricket by being groundsman
running for three long generations. I do not think, that anywhere in the
world, father - son - and grandson combination served in the capacity of
groundsman in any international ground or for that matter, in any
cricket ground.
Gabba has its unabbreviated title derived from WOOLLOONGABBA.
Regarding the derivation of the word Woolloongabba, some historians are
of the opinion, the name stems from aboriginal word "Woollen" meaning
"FIGHT TALK" and "GABBA - A PLACE". Major rugby league matches were
played in this ground during the early years of the second world war,
soccer and baseball were also played.
I still remember, during our University days as Undergraduates how we
were glued to the radio, commentaries relayed from Gabba in 1960's on
the First Tied Test in the history of cricket, between Australia and
West India. Australia was led by Ritchie Benaud and West Indies by late
Sir Frank Worrel.
Some other noteworthy incidents that comes to my mind woven round
GABBA, were Doug Walters 155 against England in 1965, Sir Richard
Hadlee's 9/52 and Match Bag of 15/123 in 1985, Courtney Walsh's hattrick
over two innings for the West Indies in the 1988 Test, Kepler Wessels
162 in his first Test, Rod Marsh's six catches in an innings and Geoff
Lawson's match figures of 11/134. Then, in Limited over internationals
at Gabba, Dean Jones made a stylish 145 against England in 1991.
If my memory serves right, Allan Border, out of 69 first class
centuries he made, 16 of them were scored at Gabba.
More than 100 years
"Gabba is here for more than 100 years played many sports in it.
During this period pony racing, soccer, rugby, football and cricket has
been played here for the last fifteen years. Gabba underwent fairly big
re-development programs in recent times.
Today, in this picturesque ground seating capacity has increased from
20,000 to 40,000. We held some Sydney Olympic soccer matches here. The
Test Cricket was played at this venue from the 1940's. "Thus he began
tracing the history of Gabba Brisbane Cricket Ground.
"I played little school cricket, but, never played big cricket. My
father was the Head Groundsman here, in the 1980's. I started working
under my Dad. My association with Gabba is about two decades," stated
Kevin Mitchell.
How long will you take to prepare a wicket for a Test Match?
"Probably after the soccer season, we have to work for a couple of
months. Finally in preparing a Test Wicket it takes about 10 days," said
Kevin Mitchell.
How many wickets are there in Gabba?
Seven wickets.
SL Competitive Side
When I questioned about the Sri Lanka side, he rated Sri Lanka as a
very competitive side. He is under the opinion that they are in the
re-building stage.
Your batting is good. I think your quickies have to improve, stated
Kevin Mitchell.
His beloved father worked at Gabba in 1950's as the Groundsman. Kevin
Mitchell has now served over two decades as the groundsman and Manager.
His son is also working as one of his assistants in maintaining the
grounds.
The square of Gabba is 169m by 148m. Kevin Mitchell stated that
during the time Football is played, it is really a worrying time for
him.
Tracing the history of Gabba, if my memory serves right, lot of
unexpected things have happened under the blue sky over Gabba. 1950-1951
Ashes Test, The Finest Gabba Tied the end of the Test, "Three Bradman
Ducks and end of the road for Australian paceman" Ian Meckiff's career
for throwing, Kim Hughe's 283, his resignation, all that happened at
Gabba. Further, Gabba has seen Eddie Paynters courage's return from the
hospital bed in 1933 to win a cricket Test. Gabba would have been the
only cricket ground in the world where a Mayor of a city served as
Curator in 1975. CLEM JONES, performed the duties as the Curator of
Gabba-Brisbane ground and as Lord Mayor of Brisbane.
"Can you name some of the great Cricketers who played on this Ground
that you can remember".
"Peter Burge, Doug Walters (Century on debut at Gabba) Vivian
Richard, Wesley Hall, Ian & Greg Chappell, Alan Border, Jeff Thomson,
Stuart Law, Craig Mcdomett, Carl Reckermann, Kasporavich, Andy Bickle,
Mathew Heyden, Ian Healy are some of the names that come to my mind out
of many" stated Kevin Mitchell. In 1960 Ray Lindwall, captained
Queensland. Among the Greats who represented Queensland were Bill Brown,
an elegant captain, and Don Tallon one of the Greatest Australian
wicketkeepers.
"What is the most memorable match that you have witnessed at Gabba
and some of the best innings that you have seen". |