A fire alarm triggered an unexpected evacuation at The Gabba on Wednesday afternoon, briefly halting preparations for the second Ashes Test and forcing media and staff out onto Vulture Street as fire crews attended the stadium.
The incident unfolded on the eve of a match that already carries a sense of jeopardy for England, who must win in Brisbane to seriously keep their hopes of a series victory alive.
Journalists and television crews were moved from the building after alarms sounded, with emergency services arriving promptly to investigate.
Stadiums Queensland later confirmed the disruption had been caused by a smoke detector in an outdoor kitchen area.
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Both teams had completed their net sessions earlier in the day, meaning neither England nor Australia was affected.
“The Gabba was briefly evacuated this afternoon after a smoke detector outside a kitchen was activated,” a spokesperson said.
“QFES attended per normal protocols. The activated location was inspected by QFES and the venue was cleared to return to normal operation.”
Fire crews pictured at The Gabba ahead of the second Ashes Test between England and Australia
|GETTY
Staff and media were allowed back inside once the stadium had been declared safe.
Before the evacuation, Australia’s Pat Cummins continued to push for an 11th-hour return.
The fast bowler missed the opening Test in Perth with a back injury but has been training aggressively in recent days.
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Pat Cummins remains hopeful of being involved in the first Ashes Test between England and Australia
|PA
Alongside Steve Smith and head coach Andrew McDonald, Cummins was seen walking across the outfield for a close look at the pitch, further fuelling speculation of a comeback.
Smith offered a cautiously optimistic assessment.
“He’s looked pretty good to me, the way he’s bowled in the nets,” he said.
“Obviously, games are a different intensity. But he’s tracking really nicely; he knows his body well. We’ll wait and see but like I said, he’s close.”
Australia are delaying their final selection until the toss on Thursday.
If Cummins is passed fit, selectors are weighing whether to drop Nathan Lyon and load up with five seamers or replace Brendan Doggett, who impressed in Perth with five wickets.
Ben Stokes was in a bullish mood ahead of England's Ashes Test with Australia | PAEngland captain Ben Stokes was warm in his praise for the Australian skipper.
“Pat’s awesome,” he said.
“He has been for a very, very long time. He’s done great things not only as a player, but he’s been great since he’s been given the responsibility of being captain for Australia.”
England's record at The Gabba leaves little comfort ahead of the second Ashes Test — no win in Brisbane since 1986 and 13 defeats in 22 Ashes Tests at the venue.
But Stokes insists his side remain committed to their approach.
“Whatever XI they go with – if Pat’s there, if Pat’s not – we’ll still be going in there to try and get the win too,” he said.