England want Gabba to be removed as Ashes venue after crowd behaviour

The Gabba crowd proved to be anti-England during the first Test of Ashes series

The England and Wales Cricket Board were so incensed by the behaviour of the Australian supporters at the Gabba that they have allegedly asked Cricket Australia to scrap the stadium for future Ashes series.

In his column in The Telegraph, former England fast bowler Derek Pringle wrote,

“Senior members of the England and Wales Cricket Board at the match were so astounded by the behaviour of Australia’s supporters, in particular their puerile chants of “Broad is a w—–,” that representations have been made to Cricket Australia about the possibility of not playing there on future tours,”

Whether the fans or the tasteless propaganda in the local press drove the players, especially Australia’s, to evermore aggressive taunts, remains unanswered, but, whatever the reason, it took many, Alastair Cook’s team included, by surprise.”

However, England captain Alistair Cook has come out saying that such despite the emotion in the game where there were some ugly scenes towards the end, the players had a responsibility to act in the right way.

“No matter how much emotion there is in the game, we know how many people are watching us and we have got to behave appropriately.

It shouldn’t be a tea party, though. People pay good money to see tough, competitive cricket.

That is what people love about the Ashes or any competitive cricket.”, said Alistair Cook.

ECB will be hoping that Adelaide Oval will provide a more pro-England atmosphere and that their senior players will step up and show the responsible way to younger players.

The first Test was won by Australia by 381 runs at the Gabba.

The second Ashes Test will begin on Thursday 5 December 2013 at Adelaide Oval at 12.oo AM GMT.