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 seized the initiative in the day-night second Ashes Test at the Gabba, taking a 44-run lead over England as they ended Day 2 on 378-6. Aggressive opener Jake Weatherald and veteran Steve Smith spearheaded the charge, with Marnus Labuschagne providing crucial stability. By stumps, the hosts had erased England's first-innings 334, leaving themselves in a commanding position on a pitch expected to deteriorate in the coming days.

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.

08:36 (IST) Dec 05

ENG vs AUS, 2nd Test Match Live Score: Partnerships anchor England after early collapse

England’s fightback after the disastrous start was built on three crucial partnerships involving Root.

First came a resilient 117-run stand with Zak Crawley, whose 76 helped blunt Australia’s aggression. Crawley, who suffered a pair of ducks in Perth, played with discipline and authority to exorcise early-series demons.

Root later stitched together valuable contributions with Harry Brook (31), Ben Stokes (19) and Will Jacks (19). Each partnership was measured, unlike England’s attacking style in the first Test.

Crawley described the dressing room as more nervous than Root as he approached his milestone, saying, “He was less nervous than us.”

England’s more conservative tempo, relying on patience rather than flashiness, showed an adjustment in approach after the Perth thrashing. The difference was visible in how they built their total — accumulating steadily before exploding in the final phase with Archer.

England may not have dominated, but they stabilised, resisted pressure and set up a contest worth fighting.

08:35 (IST) Dec 05

AUS vs ENG Live Score: Lyon shockingly dropped as Neser returns

In a surprise tactical move, Australia opted to play without a frontline spinner at home for the first time in almost 14 years, dropping veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon and bringing in Michael Neser.

The last time Australia made such a decision on home soil was nearly a decade and a half ago, showcasing how drastically conditions and strategy influenced the selection.

Regular captain Pat Cummins, still nursing a back injury, missed out again, raising expectations of a return that didn’t materialise. The absence of Lyon raised eyebrows, especially after the Perth Test, where spin could have played a holding role.

Neser’s inclusion seemed based on exploiting the pink ball conditions under lights. While the move allowed Australia to unleash pace from both ends, it also meant Root and Crawley didn’t have to face Lyon’s probing off-spin, helping their steady rebuild.

Whether this bold decision proves genius or a miscalculation will unfold as the Test progresses.

08:34 (IST) Dec 05

Ashes Live Score: Starc breaks Wasim Akram’s record, but England fight back

Despite England’s recovery, the day still belonged partly to Mitchell Starc, who etched his name into the record books.

Starc’s figures of 6-71 made him the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test history, surpassing Pakistan great Wasim Akram’s tally of 414 wickets.

His early strikes were lethal — dismissing Ben Duckett for a golden duck and bowling Ollie Pope in his very next over to leave England stunned at 5/2. Yet, the remarkable part of the day’s narrative was how England weathered Starc’s storm.

Root and Zak Crawley rebuilt the innings patiently before later batters ensured England crossed 300.

Even after breaking the record, Starc humbly remarked, “Wasim’s still the pinnacle, I think he’s still better than me.” His impact remained crucial, but England’s ability to fight back after his dominant start marked a significant shift in their approach from the Perth collapse.

The contest now hinges on whether Australia can match England’s resilience with the bat.

08:32 (IST) Dec 05

ENG vs AUS, 2nd Test Match Live Score: Archer joins the party with record-breaking late fireworks

While Root anchored England through the tough passages, Jofra Archer provided a thrilling finale that electrified the Gabba.

Batting at No. 11, Archer smashed a career-best 32 not out off just 26 balls, including two towering sixes. Alongside Root, he stitched an unbroken 61-run stand — England’s highest 10th-wicket partnership ever at the Gabba.

The late surge frustrated Australia, who seemed poised to bowl England out easily after reducing them to 264/9.

Archer’s fearless hitting complemented the reverse scoops and late aggression from Root, turning what could have been a middling total into a respectable one. The partnership not only boosted England’s morale but also shifted some pressure back onto Australia for Day 2.

The travelling fans roared with every six, watching an unlikely hero steal the spotlight in the final overs. For a No. 11, Archer showcased batting maturity beyond expectation and added a memorable chapter to England’s fightback.

08:31 (IST) Dec 05

AUS vs ENG Live Score: Root breaks the Australia Curse with a masterpiece

Joe Root finally ticked off one of Test cricket’s most elusive boxes, scoring his maiden century in Australia on his fourth Ashes tour.

Coming in at 5/2 after Mitchell Starc’s fierce opening burst under the Brisbane lights, Root responded with a masterclass in patience, technique and grit. His unbeaten 135 lifted England from a precarious collapse to a potentially competitive 325/9 at stumps.

It wasn’t just a century; it was a statement to critics who long argued he could not be considered an all-time great without conquering Australia. Root entered with his side reeling, saw off swing, wore down the attack, and brought up his hundred with a delicate leg glance off Scott Boland.

The Gabba applauded, and England breathed again. His knock was the backbone of England’s survival and highlighted why he stands second only to Sachin Tendulkar in the all-time Test run-scoring list. Root’s long-awaited milestone instantly became the defining moment of the day-night Test.

AUS vs ENG Highlights, 2nd Ashes Test Day 2: Australia took control of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, ending Day 2 on 378-6 and leading England by 44 runs. Jake Weatherald and Steve Smith led the batting charge, with Marnus Labuschagne anchoring the innings with 65. By stumps, Australia had erased England’s first-innings 334, putting themselves in a strong position on a pitch likely to deteriorate.

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.

AUS vs ENG Highlights, 2nd Ashes Test Day 2: Australia finish on 378/6, take 44-run lead at stumps

Tired of too many ads?go ad free now

Match Statistics

Head to Head in TESTSTotal Matches 363

112

154

Venue

The Gabba, Brisbane

ENG PLAYING XI

See All

AUS PLAYING XI