The third match between India and Australia is being played in Brisbane, at the Gabba. Captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first. However, the game was halted for half an hour after just 5.3 overs due to rain. Play resumed, but heavy rain interrupted again in the 14th over, stopping the match. On both occasions, the pitch at the Gabba was covered, but the ground staff left the outfield uncovered despite the downpour. Do you know why the ground isn’t covered even during heavy rain? Let’s find out.
Excellent Drainage System at the Gabba
The Gabba stadium was built in 1895. Initially, it hosted all types of sports, but gradually it became dedicated to cricket. From the beginning, the ground has had an excellent drainage system. Beneath the ground, there is a 1.8-meter-wide drain that helps in quickly drying the field. Water collected due to storms or heavy rain is directly drained into this channel.
Use of Siphonic Drainage System
In 2000, the Gabba was redeveloped, with millions spent on modern drainage systems. The stadium uses a siphonic drainage system, which is its most powerful tool for drying water quickly. The underground drain further enhances its speed.
This is why the outfield does not need to be covered. Once the rain stops, the water is cleared in just a few minutes. This makes the Gabba one of the world’s best stadiums, and Cricket Australia has never revoked its Test status. Every season, Test matches are held here.
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How Does the Siphonic Drainage System Work?
The siphonic drainage system creates negative pressure using the siphon effect. This system utilizes height to create a vacuum effect, preventing air from entering the pipes. As a result, water flows rapidly through the pipes into the drain. Since the Gabba has a drain close to the field, this system works very effectively.