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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 Michael Neser, PUT DOWN! Fourth catch that has gone down in this innings, and this time, it's Brydon Carse. Archer hurls it on a hard length, over middle. Neser backs away and tries to force it through the off side with a horizontal bat. Hits it to cover, where it goes at chest height to Carse, who takes a step to his right but cannot get hold of it.
Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, On a hard length, on middle and leg. Neser hops and drops it down in front of the man at short leg.
Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, A sharp and quick bumper, at the bodyline of the batter, Michael Neser hurriedly ducks under it.
- Michael Neser 6 (14)
- Alex Carey 24 (31)
Gus Atkinson to Michael Neser, Angled into the pads, Neser works this full ball to the left of deep fine leg for one.
Gus Atkinson to Michael Neser, Full and outside off, Neser lets it be.
Gus Atkinson to Michael Neser, Hurls it on a length, on off, Neser pushes at it and gets it off the outer half to point.
Gus Atkinson to Michael Neser, Around the off pole, Neser keeps it out from the crease.
Gus Atkinson to Michael Neser, In the channel, on a good length. Michael leaves it all alone.
Gus Atkinson to Alex Carey, Pitched up, on middle, Carey eases the drive to the right of mid on. A laboured chase from Brydon Carse and that allows the batters to hustle back for the third run.
- Alex Carey 21 (30)
- Michael Neser 5 (9)
Jofra Archer to Alex Carey, Yorker attempted by Archer, at the stumps. Alex Carey premeditates thinking it will be a short ball and backs away. Manages to get his bat down and takes it on the full. Drills it to the left of deep point for three runs.
Jofra Archer to Alex Carey, Into the surface, over middle and leg, Alex Carey backs away and drags it to mid on.
Jofra Archer to Alex Carey, Dug in short, over middle. Carey ducks under it.
Jofra Archer to Alex Carey, Fuller but going down leg, Alex walks inside the line and has a big swipe across the line but misses.
Jofra Archer to Alex Carey, Switches to around the wicket now and bowls it on a hard length, on off, Alex Carey flat bats it to mid on.
Jofra Archer to Michael Neser, Begins with a full ball, on middle, Michael Neser presents the full face of the bat and knocks it back past the bowler. A tired Ben Stokes gives it a chase from mid on and hauls it in. Three runs taken.
Jofra Archer (16-2-59-1) is back on. Also, Ben Stokes takes a bit of pickle juice to get rid of the cramps. Looking at his reaction, he certainly does not like the taste of that.
- Alex Carey 18 (25)
- Michael Neser 2 (8)
Ben Stokes to Alex Carey, From around the wicket, full but down leg, Carey misses out on the tickle.
Ben Stokes to Michael Neser, Banged in on a hard length, around leg. Michael Neser stands tall to keep it out with a straight bat. Ekes out an inside edge down to deep fine leg for a single.
Ben Stokes to Michael Neser, This is on a hard length, on off, Michael blocks it out off the back foot.
Ben Stokes is cramping up a bit here. However, he just smiles and goes back to his run-up.
Ben Stokes to Michael Neser, Jagging back in, on a length, around off, Neser walks across his stumps and leans on for the block, but the ball cuts back to go past the inside edge. Michael wears it high on the back pad.
Ben Stokes to Michael Neser, On a good length, on middle, Neser stabs it down on the off side.
Ben Stokes to Michael Neser, In the channel on off, on a length. Neser shoulders arms.
- Michael Neser 1 (3)
- Alex Carey 18 (24)
Brydon Carse to Michael Neser, Good length around off, Michael Neser looks to block it but gets an outside edge that takes the ball to the third man region and the batters take one. Australia are into the lead now.
Brydon Carse to Michael Neser, Short one, on middle and off, Michael Neser ducks down.
Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, SCORES ARE LEVEL! Back of a length around off, Alex Carey edges this through the right of gully for a single.
Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, FOUR! On a length, following the batter, Alex Carey creates enough room to slap this past the bowler and for a boundary down to the long off region. Australia now trail by 1 run.
Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Good length around middle and off, Alex Carey leaves it all alone.
Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Short and wide of off, Alex Carey puts his guard down on this.
Is that out? A big shout for an LBW, but not given on field. The only thing that will save Michael Neser is if he has got an inside edge or not. Well, the Snicko shows a clear spike. England lose a review.
- Michael Neser 0 (1)
- Alex Carey 13 (20)
Ben Stokes to Michael Neser, A massive appeal from the English side for LBW but the umpire shrugs it off and Ben Stokes has sent this upstairs. Good length angling into the batter, Michael Neser presses in front and edges this onto his pads. A loud appeal from the English skipper as he fails to see the edge. This is sent upstairs for LBW. The umpire looks at the UltraEdge and confirms that there is a definite edge and Michael Neser survives. England lose a review.
Michael Neser is the next man in.
Ben Stokes to Josh Inglis, OUT! BOWLED'EM! What an absolute ripper from Ben Stokes to get rid of Josh Inglis. Good length, around off, nipping back sharply into the batter. Josh Inglis gets beaten to the nip backer, which was sharp enough. The ball goes past the inside edge and disturbs the timber. Josh Inglis has to walk back on 23 (25). Australia are now 6 down with a deficit of 5 runs.
Ben Stokes to Josh Inglis, Back of a length around middle and leg, Josh Inglis works this to mid-wicket.
Ben Stokes to Josh Inglis, Good length on middle and off, Josh Inglis rolls this to mid on.
Ben Stokes to Josh Inglis, DODGY DUCKETT! Ben Duckett has dropped another catch. Short and just wide of off, Josh Inglis rocks onto his back foot and guides this towards the right of Ben Duckett at gully. Duckett goes a bit late towards the ball and goes at it with one hand. The ball strikes his fingers and goes beyond him for two.
Looks like Ben Stokes is not happy with the spikes on his left boot. He is signaling to his hut, and Josh Inglis takes this opportunity to get a change of gloves and a drink too. We are good to go again.
Ben Stokes to Josh Inglis, Back of a length on middle and off, Josh Inglis blocks.
- Alex Carey 13 (20)
- Josh Inglis 21 (20)
Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Good length going down the leg, Alex Carey doesn't offer any stroke at it. The ball deflects off his thigh pad towards fine leg but the runs wouldn't count as there wasn't any stroke offered at it.
Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Good length on middle and leg, Alex Carey jams this out.
Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, WIDE! Bumper, a bit too high for the batter. Wided.
Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Full and wide down the leg, Alex Carey leaves it.
Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Carse comes round the stumps, bowls a short one into the batter. Alex Carey tucks this around mid-wicket.
Brydon Carse to Josh Inglis, Back of a length around off, Josh Inglis rides the bounce and dabs this to point for one.
Brydon Carse to Josh Inglis, Short pitched, on leg. Josh Inglis ducks down.
- Josh Inglis 20 (18)
- Alex Carey 13 (16)
Ben Stokes to Josh Inglis, Short-pitched, on middle and leg, Josh pulls this to deep square leg for one.
Ben Stokes to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Top-notch by Josh Inglis. Pitched up around middle and off, Josh Inglis strides to the pitch of the delivery and drives this through the cover region for back-to-back boundaries.
Ben Stokes to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Josh Inglis stands still on his back foot and cuts. Gets it to travel through the gap between the fielders at gully and second slip for a boundary.
Ben Stokes to Josh Inglis, Good length around off, Josh Inglis leaves it all alone.
Ben Stokes to Alex Carey, Back of a length around off, Alex Carey plays for pace on but this was bowled a bit slower by Ben. The batter edges this off the outside through point for one.
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
