A Summer of International Cricket at the Gabba in 2019

It's no secret that Australians are passionate about sport. And although there's healthy competition across numerous sporting codes throughout the winter, once summer comes around, basically the entire country is behind the Australian cricket team. For the 2019/20 summer, Australia will take on fellow international heavyweights Sri Lanka and Pakistan in both T20 and Test formats. Held at the Gabba, one of Australia's most iconic stadiums, the venue is bound to be at capacity as screaming fans turn out in their droves to witness some of the best cricketers on earth step out onto the wicket.

See Australia v Sri Lanka compete in T20 cricket on October 30

Coming into the summer of cricket, it's been a busy 2019 so far with the Australian cricket team regaining the form that has made them one of the world's greatest cricketing nations. Back in July, Australia took on co-host nation England in the semi-finals of 2019 Cricket World Cup, but fell convincingly. Later, following a short break, Australia gained revenge against their traditional rivals by retaining the urn in a hotly contested 2019 Ashes series, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Now back on Australian soil, the Gabba is set to host some fantastic international cricket throughout October and November. The first of these matches will be against Sri Lanka in T20, the shortest and most action-packed format of cricket that has rejuvenated the sport. With the Australian T20 squad recently announced, former Australian captain Steve Smith will play his first T20 international match in over three years. Other high-profile players to come back into the squad include David Warner, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who complete Australia's 14-man squad for the twin series, which begins on October 27 in Adelaide.

Since 2007, Australia and Sri Lanka have faced off in T20 cricket only 13 times, with Sri Lanka having the edge over the Aussies so far with eight wins. The last time the pair met during Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in 2017 saw the visitors win the series 2-1. However, the Australians are coming into the 2019/20 series in fine form with many expecting the home nation to seal victory in the final match in Melbourne on November 1.

Catch the first test of the summer as Australia takes on Pakistan

Having already played Pakistan across three T20 matches throughout early November, Pakistan will arrive in Brisbane for the opening Test of the summer. Battling it out between November 21 to 25, the two squads will then travel to Adelaide to see whether the series ends in a draw or has a clear winner. However, Pakistan will have to be at their best to take home the series 2-0, with the Gabba representing the longest active winning streak in world cricket, with Australia currently sitting on thirty consecutive wins stretching back to 1988. Meanwhile, as the cricket-loving public looks towards the inaugural ICC World Test Championship, this two-test series represents the first chance to score points towards the competition in Australia

Brisbane's world-class sporting stadium

Nicknamed after the suburb of Woolloongabba, where the stadium resides in Brisbane, the Gabba is the city's premier oval sporting stadium. Hosting everything from AFL to state and international cricket, the 42,000-capacity stadium is regularly sold out as the locals support teams such as the Brisbane Lions, the Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat. First built in 1895, the Gabba has hosted some of the world's greatest sporting and entertainment events, ranging from rugby league and baseball to Olympic soccer and a wealth of world-famous performers

Gradually undergoing renovations since 1993, the stadium has seen the installation of new grandstands, lighting and video scoreboards to bring it up to world-class standards. In 2005, the stadium's capacity grew to 42,000 seats following the addition of a 24-bay grandstand that replaced the Brisbane Lions Australian Football Social Club. Featuring virtually unrestricted views from wherever you sit, the Gabba is a fantastic place to experience the world's most talented athletes and entertainers

How to get to the Gabba from Capri by Fraser, Brisbane

Set towards the southern edge of the city centre at 80 Albert Street, Capri by Fraser Brisbane is ideally positioned to visit the Gabba. Surrounded by some of the city's most vibrant cafes and restaurants, guests are also easily within walking distance of Brisbane's premier lifestyle and cultural destination in South Bank.

Reaching the Gabba from Capri by Fraser Brisbane is easy. You can take a pleasant 30-minute stroll through the Brisbane Botanical City Gardens and across the Brisbane River, or if you'd prefer to drive or take a taxi, you're only 2.5 kilometres away along the Pacific Motorway. For hotel bookings, email reservations.brisbane@capribyfraser.com or call +61 7 3013 0088.