The weather for the first three days of the Second Ashes Test between Australia and England has been almost perfect, certainly as far as subtropical Brisbane goes in December.
But with late storms possible on day four—if Ben Stokes and England can keep the match alive that long—it got us thinking about some of the more memorable Gabba Test cricket weather interruptions over the years.
Here are our top five, how many can you remember?
1. Deano to the rescue in 1992 hailstorm
On the third afternoon of the First Test between Australia and the West Indies, nearly an hour of play was lost as a massive hailstorm lashed The Gabba forcing the players from the field and turning the outfield from lush green to icy white.
As ground staff scrambled to cover the main wicket they had little protection from the pelting hail, with Australia’s Dean Jones famously running on to the field to offer them batting helmets in a fine act of OH&S.
The storm’s other iconic moment saw a laughing West Indian opener Desmond Haynes playing happily in the hail wearing his own helmet.
The match ended in draw, as the West Indies hung on to finish 8-133 chasing 231 for victory.
2. Storm saves England in 1998 Ashes opener
During the First Test of the 1998-99 Ashes Series, an intense electrical storm struck the Gabba just before tea on the final day.
At the time England were six wickets down for 179, chasing 348 for an unlikely victory. Players retreated to the stands and torrential rain flooded the outfield forcing the match to be abandoned.
The downpour effectively saved England from what seemed an almost certain 0-1 deficit to start the series.
3. Rain ruins First Test in 2003
Another First Test held at the Gabba in early December that was heavily impacted by the weather, this time between Australia and India in 2003.
While there were no epic thunderstorms, persistent rain on the third day saw a delay of almost six hours, with just 38 balls able to be bowled.
Despite a late sporting declaration from Australian captain Steve Waugh, the Test ended in an almost inevitable draw.
4. Even hail can’t save England in 2013
It didn’t last long, but it certainly was spectacular as an intense storm stopped play on the fourth afternoon of the First Test of the 2013/14 Ashes Series.
With England batting to save the match at 4-142 chasing 561 runs to win, the Gabba was hammered by heavy rain and hail, forcing players from the field much to the delight of the Barmy Army.
Alas, the relief was only temporary. The storm ended as quickly as it had arrived and Michael Clarke’s Australian side won the match by 381 runs.
5. No hail, but no winner either in 2024
Last year’s Gabba Test between Australia and India was the third match in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series and, again, was heavily impacted by Mother Nature.
The match saw multiple rain interruptions with eight separate rain delays on day three alone.
While the players, umpires and fans were spared hail this time, persistent rain, humidity and bad light made for a highly frustrating match with only 22 overs able to be bowled on day five.
The Test ultimately ended in an anticlimactic draw despite an aggressive declaration by Australia on the final morning.