Swimming pool a new addition for cricket fans at the Gabba

Spectators watch play from a swimming pool on the boundary on day one of the first cricket test between Australia and Pakistan in Brisbane. Photo / AP

Australian cricket fans made a splash at the Gabba on Thursday - literally.

A record crowd turned up for day one of the first test between Australia and Pakistan in Brisbane with a lucky number of fans taking a dip in a pool constructed near the boundary for the first time.

Appropriately dressed fans were randomly picked from the crowd to spend a session at the new 32,000 litre pool.

Cricket Australia (CA) is again tickled pink with the number of fans who came through the gate for the first day-night test at the Gabba.

But the jury is still out on whether the Gabba can maintain its status as the traditional opening summer host. Attendance reached 26,343 - the biggest day-one crowd for a non-Ashes clash at the Gabba.

It easily eclipsed the previous mark of 25,114 set in 2012 in the first Test against South Africa. By the opening tea break, the Gabba boasted 20,804 - and 24,851 by the dinner interval.

They are impressive numbers but CA will demand more to keep Brisbane as its summer starter.

The Gabba is traditionally where Australia begins its test summer.

Stats show why - they have not lost a Gabba Test since 1988.

But poor crowds ensured Gabba lost that honour this year with November's first Test against South Africa relocated to Perth.

The move backfired spectacularly - Australia were crushed by the Proteas on their way to a 2-1 series loss.

Brisbane are back as the host of the summer's first Test next year - for the 2017-18 Ashes, no less.

However, it came with a caveat from CA chief James Sutherland, who said the Brisbane fortress was no certainty to host first Tests beyond 2017.

So far, so good for the Gabba after Thursday.

Numbers are already on track to exceed the 80,000 total crowd figure over five days predicted by Sutherland.

- AAP