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

Right. No theatrics from the Aussies to start the day. What happened in the night session on Friday was totally hysterical, with the hosts looking to hit almost every ball out of the park! No Archer yet. Here's Brydon Carse, who was the one to get England back into the game with his double-wicket over on Day 2. 17-1-113-3 so far.

Ben Stokes to Michael Neser, Slightly fuller, outside off, Michael opens the face of his bat and guides it towards point.

Ben Stokes to Michael Neser, Back of a length, much straighter, around off, coming in with the angle, Neser hangs back in defense.

Ben Stokes to Michael Neser, Around off now, pushed towards cover.

Ben Stokes to Michael Neser, On a length, around off, Michael Neser pushes it back down the track towards mid off. There is a massive applause around the ground. Not for the shot, but because the Barmy Army has just finished its song. It is great to see the support for England, especially in Australia.

Ben Stokes to Alex Carey, 50-RUN STAND UP! The 5th of this innings. And this one ha come up in just 57 balls. Fractionally short, outside off, Carey leans and punches it behind point for a single and the first run of the day.

Ben Stokes to Alex Carey, A bit too loose to start but Stokes gets away with it. Half volley, around middle and leg, Alex Carey leans and flicks it away, but cannot beat short mid-wicket.

A bright and sunny afternoon welcomes us at the 'Gabba. And Michael Vaughan welcomes everyone with a quirky quote, 'In the Ashes, a moving day is everyday.' Ha ha! That's so true. It was only in the first Test where England were on top till the second session of Day 2, only for tables to be turned. They will looking to do the opposite here. It will be Midas Stokes to start things off, to Carey. Here we go!

Coming back to Brisbane, Alex Carey emerges as the decisive figure in determining the bragging rights. Indeed, his reputation as a formidable presence with the tail-enders is well-earned, and if he can successfully negotiate the first session, his performance could shift the momentum entirely in Australia's favor, putting them head and shoulders above England. On the other hand, if the visitors manage to get Carey early, they could do what Australia did to them yesterday.

As we build up to Day 3 of the Ashes Test, the cricketing world is abuzz with excitement as the Windies put on a masterclass in resilience at Hagley Oval, refusing to throw in the towel and storming back into the game with a stunning display of grit and determination, chasing a massive target of 531! Shai Hope's magnificent 140 and Justin Greaves' unbeaten 163 have been the highlights, while Kemar Roach's half-century has added the perfect icing to the cake, with the Windies needing just 124 more to win, having already scored 407 for 6, and the Kiwis hanging on by a thread amidst injury woes with Matt Henry and Nathan Smith out of action. All three results are still possible - a thrilling West Indies win, a nail-biting New Zealand victory, or a hard-fought draw. Actually, four. Who can rule out a tie, after a few close games in the white-ball series? No wonder Test cricket is the ultimate showdown, where legends are made and broken, and the game's true essence is put to the test.

The stage is set for exhilarating Test cricket from the first ball of the day. This pivotal afternoon session will determine the immediate direction of the match and likely influence the entire series. The cricketing world tunes in to see if England can demonstrate the fighting resilience and positivity their coach demands, or if Australia will efficiently close the door, capitalizing on their opponent's struggles and stamping their authority on the battle for Ashes supremacy.

Australia, on the other hand, lhave produced a mixed bag of cricket. Their strategy looked to be a bit weird, opting to go hard at the English bowlers and try to deflate them, rather than bat England out of the game. As much as we can speak about England missing chances, the hosts will admit that they have let the opposition into the game by gifting their wickets away, especially during the final session of Friday. The current partnership between Alex Carey and Michael Neser is going to be pivotal. If they can translate their start into a substantial stand, Australia can get somewhat of a decent lead, which currently stands negligible, signalling towards a one-inning shootout.

For Ben Stokes’ England side, the objective for the first session is formidable yet clear, which is to execute a flawless performance to secure early wickets. Following a frustrating Day 2 where tired bowlers and missed opportunities cost them dearly, England must regroup mentally. They need to inject immediate energy into their play, maintain disciplined bowling lines, and finally convert fielding chances into outs if they hope to curb Australia's growing advantage and keep their redemption hopes alive.

A very warm welcome to everyone tuning in. The Ashes battle in Brisbane reaches a critical juncture on Day 3, with the series momentum hanging in the balance. Australia hold a slender 44-run first-innings lead, currently positioned at 378/6. The atmosphere at the 'Gabba is charged with anticipation as a high-stakes Test match unfolds, transforming the contest from a mere accumulation of runs and wickets into a compelling battle of wills where any single session could dramatically alter the series' trajectory.

... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...

Right then, that's it from this enthralling Day 2 of the 2nd Ashes Test. Australia will be the happier side heading into the 'Moving Day' and will look to stretch their lead as much as possible, while England's task will be to wrap things up quickly or risk slipping out of the contest altogether. Day 3 begins on Saturday, 6th December, at 4 am GMT, but do join us early for all the build-up. Cheers!

Marnus Labuschagne of Australia is up for a quick chat. He says he's happy with where Australia sit and stresses the importance of getting to stumps with wickets in hand. He credits Travis Head and Jake Weatherald for setting the tempo early, which allowed the rest of the batting group to stay positive and keep the pressure on England. Speaking about his dismissal, he admits it was frustrating to get out just as the conditions changed and the pace of the pitch picked up. He talks about how challenging catching can be under lights at the Gabba in pink-ball cricket, but adds that Australia have trained specifically for those scenarios. Labuschagne is pleased to have taken a catch himself, saying it's nice to contribute in the field on what he feels has been a good day overall, and he's looking forward to pushing on tomorrow.

England failed to capitalise on the opening as Alex Carey and Josh Inglis counter-attacked and began to find the boundary regularly. Ben Stokes bowled a probing spell and created several chances, and finally got his reward with a beauty to dismiss Inglis, with Australia still five runs behind at the time. However, England once again allowed the pressure to slip, dropping as many as four catches in the session. Carey made them pay for those misses and, along with Michael Neser, pushed Australia into a 44-run lead by the end of Day 2.

Australia carried their momentum into the final session as well, with Steve Smith and Cameron Green batting with authority and keeping England at bay. Smith brought up his 44th Test fifty, while Green fell just short, but together they added a crucial 95-run stand that dragged Australia to the brink of wiping out the deficit. England attempted to fight back with sustained short-ball tactics, which leaked runs at first, before the game turned sharply when Brydon Carse struck twice in the same over to remove both set batters and haul the visitors back into the contest, with Smith departing to a stunning catch by Will Jacks. England had a chance to press harder, but that moment slipped midway through the over when Ben Duckett spilled Alex Carey before he had even opened his account.

The second session saw Australia push on, though England finally found a response through Jofra Archer, who bowled unchanged for the first hour after Tea and found a much better rhythm. Jake Weatherald, like Marnus Labuschagne later, fell while looking set and both scoring fifties, briefly pulling things back England's way. However, once Jofra Archer went out of the attack, the pressure eased again. By Dinner, Australia had moved to 228 for 3, cutting the deficit to just over a hundred and putting themselves firmly back in the contest after a productive first two sessions of the day.

Australia began Day 2 with positive intent in reply to England's 334 after the visitors could add only nine runs in the morning before being bowled out. The openers set the tone with early aggression, with Jake Weatherald leading the charge, while England's lack of discipline with the new ball hurt them early. Travis Head looked fluent but fell for 33 after being given a life on 3, and Marnus Labuschagne then walked in and settled quickly. By the first break, the hosts had wiped off a chunk of the deficit and looked in control, batting with confidence against the moving pink ball.

SESSION SUMMARY - 150 runs and 3 wickets in 29 overs! Australia's day, without doubt. A strong collective batting effort has pushed them into a lead, and with 12 of the last 13 Day/Night Tests in Australia having been won by the team holding a first-innings lead, the hosts will be feeling increasingly confident. England had their moments, but inconsistency with the ball and butterfingers in the field mean they now need something special to fight their way back into the contest.

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, Fuller in length, attacking the stumps, Michael Neser presses forward, gets his bat out in front and blocks it out solidly. That will be STUMPS on Day 2!

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, Back to over the wicket, angled in at the hips, on a length, Neser turns it behind square on the leg side but does not take the single.

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, Archer switches to around the wicket and pushes it across the right-hander, on a hard length. Michael Neser lets it be.

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, Keeps it on a shortish length, over off, Michael sways away and drops his wrists.

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, Another bumper but a bit too straight, around leg, Michael Neser ducks under it.

Jofra Archer to Alex Carey, Banged in short, around the right shoulder. Alex Carey walks inside the line to get the pull away. Mistimes it to the right of backward square leg for a single.

Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, In the channel, on a back of a length, Alex gets on top of it and taps it to deep point for one.

Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, Drags the length back, on off, Alex Carey stands tall and with a high elbow, punches it to the left of deep point for another couple of runs.

Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, On the fuller side, on off, Alex firms the drive to mid off.

Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, Goes wide on the crease, does Gus, on a length, on off, Carey plays it on the up and angles the bat face to get it wide of point for a couple of runs.

Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, Full and a bit wide on off, Carey throws his hands at it but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, FOUR! Sumptuous! Atkinson lands it full, on off, Carey leans into the drive and extends his hands. Plays it between cover and mid off for a boundary. Australia's lead is now 38.

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, Goes short once more, over off, Michael Neser sways away quickly.

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, Another short ball, over middle. Neser is equal to the task again as he drops his wrists and arches back.

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, An absolute snorter by Archer! A well-directed bumper from Jofra, over the right shoulder and it climbs onto the batter. Michael Neser does well to drop his wrists and sway away.

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, FOUR! Hammered! Archer looks to bang it in short but this sits up to be hit, outside off. Michael Neser gives himself room and thumps it through covers for a boundary.

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, This skids through, on a short of a good length. Neser tries to fend it down but misses and the ball goes off his body to leg gully.

Jofra Archer to Alex Carey, Short and over the left shoulder, Carey backs away and half-heartedly pulls it to the left of deep square leg for a single.

Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, Sliding in at the hips, on a back of a length, helped down to deep fine leg for one.

Gus Atkinson to Michael Neser, Leg bye! Too straight, on the pads, Neser misses out on the tickle. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes behind on the leg side.

Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, On off, on a good length, Carey drops it beside the strip on the off side and takes a single.

Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, FOUR! Rubbing salt to the wounds. Fractionally wide, on the shorter side, Carey slaps it through point for four more.

Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, DROPPED, FOUR! A tough chance though. Full and on off from around the wicket, Alex Carey charges down the track and swings at it. Gets an outside edge that goes right between the keeper and first slip. Joe Root is a bit late to react at first slip and sticks out his right hand belatedly. The ball clips his fingertips and races behind for a boundary.

Gus Atkinson to Michael Neser, Nice and full, attacking the stumps, Michael Neser whips it off the front pad through mid-wicket for three more runs.

Jofra Archer to Alex Carey, Short ball, outside off, Carey lets it be.

Brydon Carse is going off the field now. He may have hurt his fingers while trying to take that catch.

Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, In line of the off pole, on a length, Neser covers the line but plays inside the line. Gets an outside edge that goes through the vacant slip cordon and down to deep third for a single.

Jofra Archer to Alex Carey, Short and following the batter, Carey shovels it behind square on the leg side for one.