Queensland is not the place to be if you're an English batsman. John Crawley was beaten up in Cairns in 1998-99, and in 16 Tests at Brisbane, England have managed only four centuries - two of those from allrounders. Contrast that with eight at Perth (in nine Tests), 24 at Adelaide (in 27), 40 at Melbourne (in 51) and 33 at Sydney (in 51). There's clearly something in the Brisbane air that hampers. It's not as if the Gabba is a traditionally low-scoring venue: the average runs per wicket is higher than at Melbourne or Sydney.

At least England's four centuries here have been memorable affairs. In 1936-37, Maurice Leyland came in on a hat-trick and slashed 120; in 1974-75, Tony Greig drove Dennis Lillee to distraction and, repeatedly, through the covers and over the slips on his way to 110.

Twelve years later Ian Botham showed England could bat with a rollicking 138 - the highest score by an Englishman here - which included a merciless pounding of a young Merv Hughes . And four years ago, after a dreadful start to the tour, Mark Butcher smacked a glorious 116. Crawley's start has been nearly as bad this time; perhaps he'll complete the famous five.

Click here to see the highest scores by an Englishman at the Gabba

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