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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, Short and on off, Marnus Labuschagne pulls this through square leg for one.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, That almost got the better of Marnus. On a length, pitching on off and then straightening onto the batter. Marnus Labuschagne plays for the one angling in and just manages to edge this grounded to gully.
- Jake Weatherald 61 (64)
- Marnus Labuschagne 28 (33)
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, Back of a length wide of off, Jake Weatherald leaves it all alone.
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, Good length on off, Jake Weatherald drives this to mid off for no run.
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, Almost induces an edge, does Gus. Pitched up, wide of off, Jake Weatherald goes for the expansive drive but gets beaten on the outside.
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, Full and wide of off, Jake Weatherald strides towards the pitch of the delivery and shoulders his arms at it.
Gus Atkinson to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length wide of off. Marnus Labuschagne goes for the drive but gets an inside edge that rolls towards the square leg region for a strike rotation.
Gus Atkinson to Jake Weatherald, Gus comes from around the wicket and bowls a fuller one, in the sticks. Jake Weatherald milks this through mid-wicket for a single.
Gus Atkinson will bowl from the other end. 4-1-23-0 so far for Atkinson.
- Marnus Labuschagne 27 (32)
- Jake Weatherald 60 (59)
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length wide of off, Marnus Labuschagne gives it a good look and decides against poking at it.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, On a length, around off, Marnus Labuschagne gets right behind the line of the delivery and keeps it out.
Jofra Archer to Marnus Labuschagne, Back of a length around off, Marnus Labuschagne leaves it all alone.
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, On a length around the pads, Jake Weatherald tickles this to fine leg for a single. First runs of the session.
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, On a length around off, Jake Weatherald pokes at it but gets beaten.
Jofra Archer to Jake Weatherald, Back of a length around off from Jofra Archer. Jake Weatherald gets up on his toes and defends it out.
Welcome back for the second session of the day. Ben Stokes and Co. stride out to the centre. Jofra Archer has the ball in hand. Jake Weatherald to face. Two slips and a gully in place. Here we go!
... DAY 2, SESSION 2 ...
The surface quickened up on Day 1 as the day went on, and it remains to be seen whether that trend continues today. A couple of deliveries in this session disturbed the top layer, and that will be something to keep an eye on as the match moves forward. For England, it will be about bowling with discipline and wrestling back control after the break, while Australia will look to build on this start and make the most of the conditions before the sun goes down and batting becomes a bit trickier. The post-Tea session will commence at 6.40 am GMT. See you then. Cheers!
Jofra Archer found his rhythm in the latter half of his opening burst and even created a chance, only for Jamie Smith to put down Head on 3. That reprieve opened the floodgates for Travis in terms of run scoring, and it all looked ominous for England until Brydon Carse came through for the tourists with a crucial breakthrough. Post that dismissal, England’s lengths improved, but it didn’t last long. Their discipline wavered again, and the haemorrhage of runs resumed with Weatherald going on to bring up his maiden Test fifty and Marnus Labuschagne also playing his part in the counterpunch.
A dominant session for Australia and an equally disappointing one for England. The tourists did not quite turn up with the new ball, and the home side cashed in as they motored along at a healthy rate. Starting the day at 325/9, England could only add 9 runs to the overnight score and were folded for 334. The English new-ball attack was all over the shop with their lines and lengths, and did not target the stumps enough. Jake Weatherald got off the blocks with a flurry of boundaries, while it took Travis Head a bit of time to settle in.
- Marnus Labuschagne 27 (29)
- Jake Weatherald 59 (56)
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, Back of a length on the pads, Marnus Labuschagne hops back inside the crease and milks this through backward square leg for a couple to close the session.
Ben Stokes to Jake Weatherald, Back of a length on off, Jake Weatherald hops up on his toes and nudges this through square leg for one more.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, LEG BYE! Back of a length on the pads, Marnus Labuschagne looks to nudge this around square leg but misses out. The ball deflects off his pads and rolls through square leg for a leg bye.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, On a length around middle and leg, slanting into the batter. Marnus Labuschagne tucks this to mid-wicket.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length wide of off, Marnus Labuschagne leaves it all alone.
Ben Stokes to Jake Weatherald, Back of a length on middle and off, Jake Weatherald flicks this through square leg for a single.
- Marnus Labuschagne 25 (25)
- Jake Weatherald 57 (54)
Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Pushed through on off, Marnus Labuschagne flicks this to mid on.
Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! Now that's a sign of confidence from Marnus Labuschagne. Tossed up, around off, Marnus Labuschagne jumps down the track and smashes this along the ground back past the bowler. Jacks sticks out his right hand low to his right. The ball clips his fingertips and goes behind, beating the diving mid on fielder to his left for a boundary.
Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Short and wide of off, Jake Weatherald cuts this to deep point for a single.
Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! Just a fine tickle and the ball races to the fence once again. Fuller around the pads, Jake Weatherald leans low and flicks this fine to the left of the fielder at fine leg for four more.
Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Tossed up on off, Jake Weatherald blocks this off his front foot.
Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, FOUR BYES! Runs are leaking at the Gabba and Australia are enjoying this start. Tossed up, wide down the leg. Jake Weatherald misses out on the flick first and then Jamie Smith misses out on gathering this behind the stumps. The ball has raced to the fence for four.
First look at spin in this Test as Will Jacks comes on.
- Jake Weatherald 52 (50)
- Marnus Labuschagne 21 (23)
Ben Stokes to Jake Weatherald, On a length around off, Jake Weatherald pushes this towards the mid off region and takes one.
Ben Stokes to Jake Weatherald, Short and wide of off, Jake Weatherald, in no mood to let it go, slashes hard at it but misses out.
Ben Stokes to Jake Weatherald, Good length, around off, Jake Weatherald goes for the cut but this was a bit too close to him. Jake gets beaten for good here.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length around off, Marnus Labuschagne works this through square leg for one.
Ben Stokes to Jake Weatherald, Short and wide of off, Jake Weatherald leans back and cuts this just over the fielder at gully for a single. Jake loves hitting anything outside off behind square on the offside.
Ben Stokes to Jake Weatherald, Good length around off, Jake Weatherald pumps this on the bounce to cover.
- Marnus Labuschagne 20 (22)
- Jake Weatherald 50 (45)
Brydon Carse to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! GORGEOUS FROM MARNUS! Pitched up, around off, Marnus Labuschagne steps right next to the pitch of the delivery, shifts his entire body weight on the front foot and drives this through the tiny gap between extra cover and mid off for four more.
Brydon Carse to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! Marnus Labuschagne just eases this to the fence as well. Back of a length on middle and leg, Marnus Labuschagne steps across and pulls this flat through the square leg region for a boundary more.
Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, FIFTY FOR JAKE! Milestone for Jake Weatherald as he smashes his first-ever half-century in Aussie whites. Back of a length on off, Jake Weatherald pulls this through mid-wicket for a single to bring up his half-century.
Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, On a length around off, Jake Weatherald blocks it back to the bowler.
Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! How good has Jake been with this upper-cut in his innings of 49 so far? Short and wide of off, Jake Weatherald leans onto the back foot and plays the upper-cut for a boundary towards the right of the fielder in the third man region.
Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! Jake continues to keep his foot on the accelerator. Good length, angling down the leg. Jake Weatherald gets inside the line of it and just tickles this fine towards the space at fine leg for four.
- Marnus Labuschagne 12 (20)
- Jake Weatherald 41 (41)
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, Low full toss, wide of off, Marnus Labuschagne drives this towards the left of the diving mid off fielder and hustles back for two.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! WOW! That's class personified from Marnus Labuschagne. Pitched up around off, Marnus Labuschagne leans on and presents a full face of his bat. Nails the drive for a boundary towards the long on region.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length wide of off, Marnus Labuschagne shoulders his arms at it.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, Back of a length around off, Marnus Labuschagne keeps it out.
Ben Stokes to Marnus Labuschagne, NO BALL! Ben Stokes oversteps again. Good length, around off, angling back into the batter. Marnus Labuschagne looks to block it with soft hands, gets an outside edge that falls short of second slip.
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
