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- AUS vs ENG Highlights, 2nd Ashes Test Day 2: Australia finish on 378/6, take 44-run lead at stumps
AUS vs ENG Highlights, 2nd Ashes Test Day 2: Australia finish on 378/6, take 44-run lead at stumps
Weatherald, playing only his second Test, impressed with 12 fours and a six before falling lbw to Jofra Archer. Labuschagne continued his rich vein of form with a confident 65, though he fell just short of a century thanks to a sharp nick to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith off Ben Stokes. Steve Smith, who had looked solid at the crease, was dismissed by Brydon Carse after attempting a hook shot, highlighting England’s brief resurgence under the lights. Carse had earlier removed Cameron Green (45) and Smith (61) in quick succession, sparking hope for the visitors.
Despite the breakthroughs, England’s bowlers struggled with consistency, gifting Australia scoring opportunities with loose deliveries and four dropped catches. Travis Head, retained as opener in place of the injured Usman Khawaja, managed 33 before tea, while Alex Carey remained unbeaten on 46 alongside Michael Neser at 15.
England had resumed on 325-9, with Joe Root carrying the team with a gritty 138. Root added nine more runs before being dismissed in a spectacular catch by Labuschagne, ending a 10th-wicket partnership of 70. Mitchell Starc led the bowling effort with 6-75 in the first innings.
Both Weatherald and Labuschagne praised the atmosphere and the crowd at the Gabba, with Weatherald remarking, “It’s really enjoyable.” Labuschagne added, “Obviously the boys played well… it’s a nice day.” As Australia heads into Day 3, the hosts are well-placed to assert control in this pivotal Ashes clash, but England will hope to exploit the pitch under lights and fight back.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, Jofra hits the deck hard, on off, Marnus Labuschagne blocks this off his back foot.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length around off, Marnus Labuschagne leaves it all alone.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length down the leg, Marnus Labuschagne leaves it.
- Steve Smith 4 (14)
- Marnus Labuschagne 35 (53)
Gus Atkinson to Steve Smith, On a length around middle and leg, Steve Smith pushes this to mid on for completion of a maiden from Gus Atkinson.
Gus Atkinson to Steve Smith, On a length around middle and leg, Steve Smith pushes this to mid on for another dot.
Gus Atkinson to Steve Smith, On a length around middle and leg, Steve Smith steps across and blocks.
Gus Atkinson to Steve Smith, Good length around off, Steve Smith keeps it out.
Gus Atkinson to Steve Smith, On a length around off, Steve Smith pushes this to cover for no run.
Gus Atkinson to Steve Smith, Full and wide outside off. Steve Smith jams it out.
- Marnus Labuschagne 35 (53)
- Steve Smith 4 (8)
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, Short and on off, Marnus Labuschagne guides this to gully.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, Short and around leg, doesn't bounce as much as Marnus expected it to. ML sits down on this.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, Another one left alone wide of off.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, On a length around off, Marnus Labuschagne leaves it.
Jofra Archer to Steve Smith, Short pitched, around leg. Steve Smith pulls this to deep backward square leg for one.
Jofra Archer to Steve Smith, Good length, down the leg. Steve Smith comes inside the line of it and leaves.
- Marnus Labuschagne 35 (49)
- Steve Smith 3 (6)
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, That's a good leave from Marnus Labuschagne. Good length, around off, nipping back in on the batter. Marnus Labuschagne shoulders his arms at it.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length around off, Marnus Labuschagne drives this a bit uppish but short of point for no run.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Back of a length on off, Marnus Labuschagne gets right behind the line of it and blocks.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length on off, Marnus Labuschagne leans low and blocks.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Back of a length around off, another steep bounce on the batter. Marnus Labuschagne gets up on his toes and dabs this to gully.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, WOAH! Some demons are waking up off the deck. Good length around off, Marnus Labuschagne goes for the drive on the front foot but the ball shoots off the deck and beats Marnus.
- Steve Smith 3 (6)
- Marnus Labuschagne 35 (43)
Jofra Archer to Steve Smith, On a length wide of off, Steve Smith leaves it.
Jofra Archer to Steve Smith, Good length around the pads, Steve Smith milks this to backward square leg.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, Full and wide of off, Marnus Labuschagne drives this through the cover region for three runs.
Jofra Archer to Steve Smith, Steep bounce on this occasion for Archer. Short pitched around leg, Steve Smith rides the bounce and looks to flick this but gets it gloved towards fine leg for a single.
Jofra Archer to Steve Smith, Jofra drags his length back, on middle and leg, Steve Smith flicks this through the square leg region and takes two.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, On a length around the pads, Marnus Labuschagne nudges this through square leg for one.
- Steve Smith 0 (2)
- Marnus Labuschagne 31 (41)
Gus Atkinson to Steve Smith, Good length, around off, Steve Smith flicks this to square leg.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length on middle and off, Marnus Labuschagne edges this off the inside to fine leg for one.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length, angling back into the batter. Marnus Labuschagne blocks this out.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Back of a length wide of off, Marnus Labuschagne leaves it all alone.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length on middle and off, Marnus Labuschagne works this towards the leg side but fails to beat mid-wicket.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Back of a length on middle and leg, Marnus Labuschagne gets up on his toes and blocks.
- Steve Smith 0 (1)
- Marnus Labuschagne 30 (36)
Jofra Archer to Steve Smith, Raw pace from Jofra Archer. Bumper, on middle and off, at 146 kmph. Steve Smith leaves it.
The captain of Australia, Steve Smith, comes out to bat. He is sporting those anti-glare strips under his eyes.
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, OUT! LBW! A sensational knock of 72 from Jake Weatherald comes to an end as Jofra Archer traps him in front of the stumps. Toe-crusher, on middle and leg, Jake Weatherald goes for the flick but misses out completely on any sort of connection with the ball. The ball hits Jake on the right boot, right in front of the stumps and an appeal was all the umpire needed to raise his finger. Jake Weatherald was walking off straightaway but Marnus Labuschagne stopped him and discussed sending this upstairs, but Weatherald decided against it. Australia are 146/2, trailing by 188 runs.
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! England are not learning their lessons as Jake Weatherald continues to pepper the offside. Short and wide of off, Jake Weatherald stays put on the back foot and just rolls his wrists over the ball to cut it all along the ground. Gets it to race past the diving gully fielder for four more. Jake Weatherald moves to 72.
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, Good length around off, Jake Weatherald thumps this to cover.
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, Good length, into the batter. Cramping Jake for any sort of room to play with. Jake Weatherald blocks it to mid-wicket.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length, angling down the leg. Marnus Labuschagne hops back inside the crease and tucks this to fine leg for one. Marnus was looking for two initially but a good bit of effort in the deep keeps it down to one.
- Jake Weatherald 68 (74)
- Marnus Labuschagne 29 (35)
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, Full and wide of off, Jake Weatherald gives it a good look and leaves.
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! Gets a slight bit of width to play with and he threads the gap behind square on off with precision for four. Short and a shade wide of off, Jake Weatherald cuts this late and gets it to race between gully and point for a boundary.
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, Back of a length around off, Jake Weatherald shows no intention of poking at it.
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, Back of a length around middle and leg, Jake Weatherald rocks onto the back foot and goes for the pull but mistimes it. Jake gets late on the pull and gets it off the inside of his bat towards Jofra Archer at mid-wicket.
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, Good length on off, Jake Weatherald presses in front and punches this to cover.
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, Gus hits the hard length, wide of off, Jake Weatherald lets it sail back into the gloves of Jamie Smith behind the stumps.
- Jake Weatherald 64 (68)
- Marnus Labuschagne 29 (35)
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, Pitched up, going down leg. Jake Weatherald gets inside the line and glances this towards fine leg for one.
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, Short and wide of off, Jake Weatherald looks to play his favored cut shot but gets beaten as the ball keeps rising on him.
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, Good length on top of off, Jake Weatherald defends it out.
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, Short pitched, wide of off, Jake Weatherald pulls this in front of square towards mid-wicket and takes two.
Weatherald impressed in only his second Test, hitting 12 fours and a six before falling to Jofra Archer, while Labuschagne’s composed 65 ended with a nick to Ben Stokes. Steve Smith looked set for a big score but was caught by Will Jacks off Brydon Carse, who also dismissed Cameron Green in the same over. Alex Carey remained unbeaten on 46, providing a steady finish alongside Michael Neser.
England’s bowlers struggled with discipline, conceding 51 boundaries and dropping four catches, though Carse’s short-ball tactics sparked a brief revival. Travis Head managed 33 before tea, showing restraint after his explosive century in Perth.
England resumed on 325-9, with Joe Root guiding them to 138, adding nine more before a diving Labuschagne catch ended a 70-run last-wicket stand. Mitchell Starc led the earlier bowling effort with 6-75.
Weatherald and Labuschagne praised the Gabba’s atmosphere, highlighting the enjoyable conditions. With Australia in control, Day 3 promises a tense contest as England looks to exploit the lights and shift momentum in this pivotal Ashes clash.
Match Statistics
Venue
The Gabba, Brisbane
