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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.
Brendan Doggett to Zak Crawley, On a length around off, Zak Crawley strides out in front and leaves it all alone.
Brendan Doggett to Ben Duckett, Good length around off, Ben Duckett guides this through backward point for the first run of the session.
Brendan Doggett to Ben Duckett, Good length, going across the batter. The ball seems to have landed on the seam and nip away from the batter. Ben Duckett leaves it.
Brendan Doggett to Ben Duckett, Brendan Doggett starts the final session of the day with a short one, on off. Ben Duckett dabs this around silly point.
Welcome back. An exciting phase of play beckons. It is night time, and the pink ball does move around under the lights, but England have got all their 10 wickets intact with their confidence sky high. It will be interesting to see whether and how the Aussies adapt now, given the barrage of runs scored. Brendan Doggett gets the opportunity to start the session. 1/81 in 15.2 overs in the first dig. Duckett to face. Let's resume!
... DAY 3, FINAL SESSION ...
Two boxes ticked for England. First, deny the early wicket to Starc. Second, stay unscathed till the break. If the pitch was looking good during the day, it has gotten even better to bat under the lights. Having said that, Australia will not mind this break. This gives them a chance to regroup and work on their lengths, especially with the ball not swinging. That short span earlier perhaps put them under more pressure, to try and take a wicket or two, but now with the next session slated for two-and-a-half hours easily, they might want to settle down a bit. From England's point of view, imagine where would they be if they continue to go at this rate. Back on parity by Stumps? Join us back by 9 am GMT for the final session. 37 overs scheduled.
28 minutes is usually too less to pick up a wicket or two but one just got the feeling that Australia were a bit too desperate for strikes with the new ball. They were overeager to take wickets with the ball swinging, because as has been seen in this game, once the ball stops swinging, there is barely anything for the bowlers. And in that approach, they bowled way too many freebies and allowed England to rattle along at 7.5 an over.
This is some way to start the innings trailing behind by a mammoth 177. Having been on the field for nearly 2 sessions of the day, braving the heat and frustration, the English openers have just come out and Bazballed a chunk of the deficit in next to no time.
- Zak Crawley 26 (23)
- Ben Duckett 13 (13)
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Outside off, pushed towards cover. DINNER ON DAY 3, ENGLAND 45/0, TRAIL BY 132!
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Full, around off, defended solidly.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, On a good length now, outside off, nipping back in, Crawley gets across to flick but misses and is hit high on the thighs.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, On a length, outside off, pushed towards cover.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, Uppish, but safe! Full, outside off, Ben Duckett goes hard on the drive, coming forward. The ball hits the face of the bat and lobs in the air. Travis Head dives to his left from mid off, but the ball lands just in front of him and bursts through his hands. By the time he can get up and recover the ball, another triplet is taken. Jeez, that's the third triple in 32 balls in this inning!
Last over before Dinner. No experiments from Smith. Neser to continue.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, That's interesting. Are Australia rattled already? We are just into the 6th over of the innings and there is already a deep square leg in place. Full and on middle, Zak Crawley flicks it through mid-wicket and by the time the deep square leg fielder can get to his left to stop the ball, three runs are taken. The stand moves to 42 (31)!
- Zak Crawley 23 (18)
- Ben Duckett 10 (12)
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Full, around off, Zak Crawley pushes it to deep point for a single. Just one dot ball in that over, going for 13!
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Full, outside off, ZC punches it through point for another couple. The deficit is now 139.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Scrambled seam, on a length, outside off, slanting away, Zak looks to drive this on the up without moving his feet and misses.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Excellent batting. On a length, outside off, Zak Crawley gets on top of the bounce and punches it on the up through the covers, for the second boundary of the over.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Full on middle and leg, swinging down, Crawley looks to flick, but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards fine leg and the batters take a couple. Leg byes signalled.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, FOUR! AMAZING! Full, outside off, Zak Crawley comes forward and exhibits a lovely straight drive. The ball pings off the middle of the bat and races through mid off, to find the boundary. The deficit is now 147. This stand is now worth 30 (25)!
- Ben Duckett 10 (12)
- Zak Crawley 12 (12)
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, FOUR RUNNING RUNS! Full and straight, 132.4 kph, BD clips it through mid-wicket. Scott Boland gives it a good chase from mid on and gets to the ball with a slide and pushes it back in. But by the time the backup fielder arrives, the batters have enough time to return for the fourth.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, On a length, outside off, Ben shoulders arms.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, FOUR BYES! Misdirection of the radar. This would have been a nice outswinger for Crawley but for Duckett, this is pitched well outside leg and then swinging further down. He lets it go and Alex Carey has no chance behind the stumps.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, DROPPED! Is that the luck which Ben Duckett needs? Full on middle, Duckett looks to hammer this down the ground but plays the shot a bit too early. Ends up getting it off the toe end of the bat but still, the ball rockets back to the bowler. Michael Neser tries to hold on with both hands but the ball pings his palms and pops out.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, Fuller and wider outside off, Duckett lets it go.
The Barmy Army has found it voice again. It was silent for most part of the day but this quickfire start has got the band going.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, On a length, outside off, slanting away, Ben Duckett punches it to Jake Weatherald at point.
- Zak Crawley 12 (12)
- Ben Duckett 6 (6)
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, FOUR! England are going at run-a-ball in this second innings. Overpitched, swinging down leg, Zak Crawley whips it through square leg. The deficit is now 159.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Full and straight, hint of inward shape, Crawley works it towards mid-wicket.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, On a length, around off, 140.2 kph, Zak Crawley waits for the ball to arrive and dabs it past gully, to his right. By the time Cameron Green can get to the ball with a slide, two more runs are taken.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, Full and down the leg side, Ben clips it over mid-wicket. The timing is not that great and hence, the ball clugs in the outfield. Enough time to return for three.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, On a length, outside off, Duckett lets it go.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, Full, outside off, 138.9 kph, nipping back in, Ben Duckett stays in his crease and works it towards short mid-wicket.
- Zak Crawley 6 (9)
- Ben Duckett 3 (3)
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Full and wide outside off, going straight on, Zak Crawley makes a hattrick of leaves.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Outside off, on a length, moving away, ZC lets it go again.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Better bowling, excellent leave. On a length, just outside off, nipping back in, but Zak knows where his off stump is and shoulders arms. That bounces a shade but is away from the off stump.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, FOUR! The first boundary for England. That will give Crawley a lot of confidence. Neser goes for the glory ball, the big booming inswinger, but ends up landing the ball on middle and leg, on too full a length. Zak Crawley whips it without fuss through square leg. The deficit is now 168.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Better line, starting outside off and slanting inward, then moving away, Crawley lets it go again.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Full and wide outside off to start. There is some outswing available, but the line was just too wide. Zak Crawley gets across and lets it go.
First things first for England. Mitchell Starc has been denied a wicket in his opening over. In all the previous three innings, he has struck in his first over. Michael Neser will share the new strawberry with Starc.
- Zak Crawley 2 (3)
- Ben Duckett 3 (3)
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, On middle and leg, on a length, 141.5 kph, Zak nudges it through square leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, Off the king pair and then the pair, in grand style! Starc goes for the big booming inswinger but dishes a half volley on the pads. Ben clips it through mid-wicket and gets three runs.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, Fuller, outside off, swinging away, Duckett walks down the track and pushes it towards backward point.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, Landed outside off, Ben Duckett comes forward and pushes it towards mid off.
Over to Ben Duckett now, who is on a pair.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, On a length, outside off, Crawley taps it towards mid off and takes a quick single.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Good length to start. Full, outside off, swinging in, Zak Crawley watchfully pushes it towards cover.
Crawley lauded him as “the best player I’ve ever played with or against” and praised his humility, saying Root barely spoke about the milestone despite years of buildup.
On the other side, even Starc applauded Root’s grit, saying he “assessed conditions and sucked up pressure.”
This cross-team respect highlighted the magnitude of Root’s achievement. With critics previously claiming he could not be considered a complete batting great until scoring in Australia, Root answered emphatically. His composure contrasted sharply with England’s nerves around him.
From fans chanting to teammates celebrating, Root’s milestone removed a burden that had lingered far too long. Whether England can build on this platform remains to be seen, but the psychological victory of Root’s century may prove just as impactful as the runs themselves. England entered Brisbane searching for redemption, and their greatest modern batter delivered it.
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
