Joe Root celebrated his first century in Australia to give his side hope in the second Test – as wickets tumbled around him.
Root scored 135* and built steadily through the day-night Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane. He reached the landmark from 180 balls, as England finished on 325-9 thanks to a final wicket flurry from Jofra Archer.
Mitchell Starc had previously ripped through the England line-up with a six-fer to reaffirm his status as master of the pink ball.
Root’s history moment came soon after Will Jacks had slashed at wide ball by Starc to fall for 19. Ben Stokes had earlier ran himself out and Jamie Smith was bowled second ball, as England lost quick wickets in the evening session while attempting to set an imposing target for Australia. Archer joined Root at the crease with the score on 264 and the pair put on an unbeaten 61 to keep Australia at bay.
Starc took the early wickets of both Ben Duckett (0) and Ollie Pope (0) as Australia targeted a similarly brutal bowling display as that which saw the visitors succumb to the hosts inside two days of pulsating cricket in the first Test. He later added Gus Atkinson (4) and Brydon Carse (0) to rip through England’s tail, before Archer and Root hit back with a flurry of late boundaries.
Follow all the latest updates, scores and analysis on day one at The Gabba below:
Ashes 2025/26: Australia v England - second Test, day one
- The second Test of the Ashes begins with day one at the Gabba | Live on TNT Sports
- England end day one 325-9 with Mitchell Starc taking six wickets
- Joe Root makes first Ashes hundred in Australia and unbeaten on 135 overnight
- Ben Stokes runs himself sparking collapse from 210-4 to 264-9
- Jofra Archer's counterattacking 32* helps England over 300
- Australia lead 1-0 after winning first Test but leave out captain Cummins and spinner Lyon
Ashes 2025/26 schedule: Dates, times and results for every Australia v England Test match
13:06 , Mike JonesMakeshift opener Travis Head scored a brilliant century and paceman Mitchell Starc claimed a 10-wicket haul as Australia ran out eight-wicket victors against England inside an astonishing two days during the Ashes opener at Perth Stadium.
The manic style of cricket, which produced the shortest Ashes test by overs-bowled to deliver a result since 1888, kept the crowd enthralled as both sides gained and relinquished the ascendancy throughout.
Ashes 2025/26: Schedule and results for every Australia v England Test match
Joe Root silences his last remaining critics with England century for the Ashes history books
13:00 , Cameron PonsonbyAnd he did it with a shrug.
It’s not often you get to watch history. To see the storyline from beginning to end. It’s been 12 years since Joe Root first played Test cricket in Australia. And it has been an altogether horrible experience.
Fifteen matches. 13 losses. Zero wins. In truth, that is the statistic that is most important to address. A century cements his individual legacy – the batter who could indeed do it everywhere – but winning in Australia is the true white whale of his and every other Englishman’s career.
Joe Root silences his last remaining critics with historic Ashes century
Cameron Ponsonby reflects on day one of the second Ashes Test
16:53 , Alex PattleHere’s Cameron Ponsonby in Brisbane:
Stuart Broad questions Harry Brook over ‘crucial’ part of game after Ashes mistake
13:21 , Mike JonesStuart Broad has questioned Harry Brook’s in-game nous after the England batter “gifted” his wicket to Australia in the first innings of the second Ashes Test.
Brook came in with England 122-3 on day one at The Gabba, and began building a promising partnership with Joe Root in favourable batting conditions in Brisbane.
Stuart Broad questions Harry Brook over ‘crucial’ part of game after Ashes mistake
Would England have been better off declaring?
12:55 , Mike JonesAustralian cricket legend Glenn McGrath said: “The ball is soft, not doing much, it's better conditions to bat in, I'm not surprised England got runs on the board.
“You maybe still would've wanted to have a go with the ball though. There was potential for Australia to be four wickets down going into tomorrow.
“Bowling under light with the new pink ball is as tough as it gets. It's only three millimetres of grass out there, that's the difference.
“It's a lot easier to bowl and get some wickets on the conditions out there now than it will be tomorrow morning.”
'We've got a good opportunity'
12:51 , Mike JonesAlex Carey was still upbeat about Australia’s place in the game and thinks they can perform well with the bat.
He explained: "I think it's a pretty good pitch. Would've been nice to get them out, England played well. We're confident that we're in the game, we've got a good opportunity with the bat.
"I think it's a good pitch. We saw the boys try and change it [the ball] a lot. You could put it out of shape with your hands, it was very soft.
“It produced runs and wickets. I think the wickets good, the ball performed how we thought it would. Would've been nice to get Jofra out early."
Alex Carey reveiws Australia's day
12:46 , Mike JonesThe Australian wicket keeper said: "A bit up and down really, We started well with the ball, saw a good partnership form with Crawley and Root.
“Got back into them after the break, that late partnership was crucial for them. Could've been worse, could've been better.
“I thought Joe played an outstanding innings and I know it means a lot to him to get that on Australian soil."
Root sets the tone for England
12:41 , Mike JonesJoe Root’s 135* was his highest score in Australia and the first time he’s scored a hundred down under.
He’s helped England up to a decent total of 325-9 and will hope to add a few more runs to the tally on Friday.
'I think it's England's day'
12:37 , Mike JonesMore reaction from Crawley who said: "A great start by them. A couple of really good balls and a bit unlucky for Pope, but that was me last week, so I know how it feels. That is nature of the beast at the top of the order.
"I was pleased with how I played, I wanted more, and I was gutted to get out. Standing here now, I am happy with 76, and I feel we're in a good position.
"The chat was to go hard and if we got out we could have had half an hour with them. They [Joe Root and Jofra Archer] got some crucial runs - a phenomenal effort and it puts us in a good position tomorrow.
"Sitting here as an England player, I think it is our day."
Crawley on Root's hundred
12:33 , Mike JonesEngland’s post match interviews with Zak Crawley keep coming and the opener told TMS:
"Really good day. Unbelievable day for Joe [Root]. He has had that coming for a long time. Probably the best player I have we played with and against.
"Sometimes you don't get the rub of the green, but he didn't need the rub of the green. He just played a flawless knock.
"He made it look effortless. He has worked so hard on his game and he is a brilliant player. We are so chuffed and thrilled to bits for him."
Did England consider declaring?
12:29 , Mike JonesThere were a few moments towards the end of the day where it looked as though Ben Stokes might declare.
England were nine wickets down and there was enough time to have a bowl at Australia’s openers in tricky conditions.
"No talk of declaring,” confirmed Zak Crawley after the close of play.
“If the boys go hard and get out, it's a win-win. They went hard and it came off. A valuable 50 runs. We were happy.
"I'm not to sure [what the plan is]. We'll see how these guys go. They're going to go hard in the morning and it'll be an important first 10 overs with the ball."
How is the pitch playing?
12:25 , Mike JonesThe average first innings score in a day-night pink ball test at the Gabba is 290 but the consensus was that the pitch was less harmful today.
Zak Crawley said: "The last few days it's been really green so we thought it was going to be a nipper.
“They shaved it this morning, so I thought it would be a good toss to win and I think it was."
Joe Root scores first Ashes century in Australia
12:21 , Mike JonesJoe Root scored his first Ashes century in Australia as he navigated testing conditions on day one of the second Test in Brisbane.
His 100 came off 181 balls and was his 30th attempt in 16 Tests to reach three figures in an away Ashes series. It was his fifth against Australia and 40th overall.
Before the series there was plenty of talk about Root’s record in Australia, the only country where he had yet to make a century. He had previously played 27 innings in the country with a highest score of 89 before the first Test in Perth.
Crawley on his own innings
12:17 , Mike JonesZak Crawley was very pleased with his own contribution to England’s total and explained his shift in mindset after Perth.
"I had a clear plan and I stuck to it. I hit the ball hard if it came into my area on the leg side,” he revealed.
“A couple of loose shots as I tend to do but I got away with them and played nicely down the ground as well.
“When I got in and the ball started doing less, I felt I could do more on the off side."
Vaughan on Root's hundred
12:13 , Mike JonesMichael Vaughan said on Kayo Sports: “His 40th (century), and his most precious, has just arrived. That was the one that he wanted.
“All the talk leading into this series was ‘will Joe Root get three figures in Australia?’. Well, in his third innings of the series he’s done it off the back of a difficult week in Perth.
“For England to compete they need that man. It was a technical masterclass from England’s best player.”
Hayden relieved after Root ton
12:09 , Mike JonesAhead of the series Matthew Hayden had pledged to “walk nude” around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if Root was unable to end his lack of centuries in Australia.
The former Australia opener said: “Congratulations mate on a hundred here in Australia.
“It took you a while and there was no one that had more skin in the game than me, literally.
“I was backing you for a hundred in a good way, so congratulations. You little ripper, mate, have a beauty and bloody enjoy it.”
Crawley's post match thoughts
12:04 , Mike JonesZak Crawley banished the memories of his pair in Perth with a finely worked 76 alongside Joe Root’s 135*.
He spoke to TNT Sports after the day’s play ended to talk about it.
"It wasn't quite as good as Joe [Root] but I'll take it. I felt good - much better than Perth,” Crawley said.
“I was just trying to keep it simple, score straight and on the leg side. I was happy with my knock. I was gutted to get out when I did. The pitch was getting flatter. We finished well with Joe and Jof.
"Ducky [Ben Duckett] also wanted [to bat at two]. He gets to choose. I was more than happy to face the first one."
Root's century was superb
11:59 , Mike JonesTest Match’s Special’s Jonathan Agnew says that Joe Root’s century today was ‘superb’ especially with the pressure he ws under.
“All the pressure on Joe Root today - the Aussies have given him a hard time,” he said.
“That shrug at the end and he kind of said, 'What's all the fuss about boys?'
“The century in Australia aside, that was a superb hundred. The fact it was his first in Australia is coincidental.
“He knuckled down, fought hard, risk-averse, he left a lot alone. He was much more careful with his shot selection.
“He loves batting. He is at home when he is batting and that was a masterful innings today.”
How Root builts his innings
11:55 , Mike JonesJoe Root is without doubt England’s most traditional batter and his innings shows that he grew more confident the longer he stayed in:
First 50 runs - 18% false shots, 35% attacking shots.
Next 50 runs - 13% false shots, 33% attacking shots.
After his century - 9% false shots, 52% attacking shots.
Starc on the state of the game
11:51 , Mike Jones"Today it was a soft ball, but good Test cricket I guess,” said Starc when asked to sum up the day’s play.
“A couple of Yorkshiremen between the wickets and Joe batted well there.
"Once that ball goes soft it is not the easiest thing to score with and it's certainly not the easiest to bowl with.
"Proper Test cricket, albeit a pink ball. A solid's day Test cricket."
Post match thoughts from Mitchell Starc
11:47 , Mike JonesAustralia’s key man, Mitchell Starc, was in the wickets once more having taken 10 at Perth.
He took six again today and is single handedly keeping Australia’s hopes alive.
He’s also the most prolific bowler with the pink ball and spoke about that at stumps.
"I get asked all the time [why he’s good with the pink ball], but I still don't know,” he said.
“It is what it is. I still think it's like a white ball.”
A partnership to remember
11:42 , Mike JonesJoe Root and Jofra Archer’s partnership of 61 runs from 44 balls was the third highest 10th wicket partnership of all time at the Gabba.
The duo are still batting and can increase that on Friday as well.
England have slight advantage at end of day one
11:38 , Mike JonesIt’s a close run thing but I’d say England have the slight advantage after day one.
Joe Root has scored his first hundred in Australia and England are still batting with over 300 on the board.
The Australians will be frustrated by how the closing stages of that session went.
Stumps: England 325-9
11:31 , Mike JonesMichael Neser has the ball in hand for the final over of the day.
England’s counterattack has taken on an air of caution. Both Root and Archer are keeping the ball on the floor so Smith brings in the field.
Root takes one and leaves Archer to face the rest of the over.
He calls through for one and there’s another single for Root as well.
Neser’s final two deliveries see Archer solidly defend.
England 322-9
11:26 , Mike JonesMitchell Starc continues and is pulled away by Archer who moves up to 30.
There’s not much time left in the day now so England might try to get through to tomorrow and have another go.
Root works the ball away for two before taking a single with a flick to the midwicket boundary.
Archer pushes Starc through point and takes one which brings him to his highest ever Test score. It’s come at a fine time for England.
England 314-9
11:19 , Mike JonesThis partnership is up to 43 from 26 balls and they were needed for England.
This cameo from Archer has probably tipped the day back in England’s favour.
Archer charges at Boland but can only scuff the ball into the offside for one more.
Six!
Root scoops Boland over third man and middles his shot. It’s fantastic and he’s rewarded with a maximum. That also brings up the fifty partnership.
England 306-9
11:16 , Mike JonesSix more! Jofra Archer take a bow. He belts Starc back over his own head for another maximum and then gets off strike.
Root brings up England’s 300 with a four! He goes down the ground as well.
Ben Stokes will be happy now. 300 is a always a solid total and anything added from here is a bonus.
Starc’s over ends with a few more singles.
England 292-9
11:10 , Mike JonesArcher drives and collects anpther two off Boland.
Next he rocks back and connects with a delightful pull shot which finds the gap and brings four more.
Archer takes one more and Root has one ball left to face from Boland.
Root goes big too! A one bounce four brings 19 from the over.
Stokes is waiting at the side of the pitch, will he declare?
England 281-9
11:07 , Mike JonesHuge!
Archer does get one in the slot and smokes Boland over the deep midwicket boundary for a maximum!
A few more of those are needed.
Chance! Archer swings again and top edges it. The ball hangs in the air but lands safely on the legside. England scramble through for two.
England 273-9
11:04 , Mike JonesSteve Smith has spread the field but brought in a short leg and takes some time out of the game by calling for a helmet to be brought on.
Starc flings the ball outside off and Archer swings wildly but doesn’t come close to hitting it.
Archer then takes another run to end the over.
England 272-9
11:02 , Mike JonesArcher drives Starc down the gorund and gets himself off the mark. He can hit a big ball if he gets one in the slot.
England will want as many runs as possible before this final wicket falls.
Root digs out a yorker and calls for two but Carey recovers the ball quickly and limits him to just a single.
England 269-9
10:59 , Mike JonesMatthew Potts has come out with some new gloves for Root and no doubt some new instructions from England camp.
Root faces up against Starc and reverse scoops him into the offside.
He looked for third man but got through the shot too early and toed it into the gap.
There could be fireworks coming...
England 269-9
10:56 , Mike JonesFour! Lovely from Root. He rocks onto the back foot and guides Boland away to third man for another boundary.
Any runs from this position will be crucial for England’s chances in this Test.
Root then takes a one and leaves Jofra Archer two balls to survive.
England 264-9
10:54 , Mike JonesScott Boland continues for Australia and Root whips him off his legs but declines a run.
How does Root play this now? Other England batters would go all out to score as many runs as possible as quickly as possible.
Root may be different. Australia are delaying things, they don’t want to come out and bat this evening.
England 264-9
10:52 , Mike JonesBefore Ben Stokes ran himself out England were 210-4. They’ve lost five wickets for fifty runs in what can only be classed as another collapse.
Can Root guide England close to 300?
Wicket! Carse c Carey b Starc 0
10:49 , Mike JonesAnother one!
It’s six for Starc who dangles the ball outside off stump and clicks the edge of Carse’s bat.
Carey holds on to a low grab and England are stumbling under the lights.
England 264-8
10:47 , Mike JonesMitchell Starc has another five-for as well. With no Josh Hazlewood or Pat Cummins, Starc has been exceptional for the hosts.
Can he clean up the England innings before the end of the day?
Brydon Carse is the new batter.
Wicket! Atkinson c Carey b Starc 4
10:45 , Mike JonesGus Atkinson tries to dispatch Mitchell Starc over to the leg side and gets a thick edge.
The ball sails high into the air and is chased down by Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey.
The two Australians tangle with each other but Carey leapt forward and clung onto the catch!
England 260-7
10:43 , Chris WilsonRoot adds another three to take himself to 106 and England to 260 as the over ends.
Joe Root scores first Ashes century in Australia
10:42 , Mike JonesJoe Root scored his first Ashes century in Australia as he navigated testing conditions on day one of the second Test in Brisbane.
His 100 came off 181 balls and was his 30th attempt to reach three figures in an away Ashes series. It was his fifth against Australia and 40th overall.
JOE ROOT MAKES FIRST TEST CENTURY IN AUSTRALIA
10:41 , Chris WilsonBoland back bowling as Root looks for that elusive century.
He takes a wide but an attempt at a single doesn’t have enough on it.
BUT THIS ONE DOES!
The Yorkshireman gets enough of the bat on it as it bounces near his hip and ball races away through fine leg and goes for four!
He arrived at 5-2 and he’s steered England to 256-7.
WICKET! Jacks c Smith b Starc 19
10:36 , Chris WilsonEngland 251-7
Another wicket for Mitchell Starc as he delivers long and wide and Jacks edges it, with Smith catching in the slips again!
That’s one he’ll be kicking himself over as Atkinson comes out to the crease next up.
England 251-6
10:33 , Chris WilsonRoot begins the next over on strike then as Starc returns with the ball!
He finds a single early on to move to 98, as Jacks is back facing.
England 250-6
10:29 , Chris WilsonGreen up to bowl next. He’s not giving a lot away, though Jacks hits a single on the fourth to put him on strike.
Just a single for Root for now as England move to 250!
England 248-6
10:25 , Chris WilsonA lovely shot from Jacks as he returns to the action, turning to rifle a shot past square leg for a four.
Root follows it with a four of his own, hitting through deep square to take his tally to 92 – his highest ever score in Australia.
And he crashes in another right after, pulling it to the boundary to move to 96!
England 235-6
10:17 , Chris WilsonNothing off Green’s over for Root and we’ll have a brief drinks break.
England 235-6
10:13 , Chris WilsonA first four of the day from Jacks is part of a nine-run over that the tourists extract from Green, with Root moving to 85.
He carries one through point for three off Doggett, before an accomplished four from Jacks moves England to 235-6.
England 218-6
10:03 , Chris WilsonAnother two for Jacks from the 59th over, and the run rate is really beginning to stall now. It’s not about that at this point though, of course.
England 216-6
09:59 , Chris WilsonWill Jacks is off the mark with a single at the end of the next over, Boland only allowing one with his latest over.
England 215-6
09:55 , Chris WilsonCan England grab some runs off Doggett then? Not originally, but Root does manage a four after cutting back though point.
That takes him to 82.
England 211-6
09:50 , Chris WilsonWill Jacks is out next for England. Can he steady the ship alongside Root?
It’s a shaky start, with a similar delivery to the one that got Smith out darting just over the stumps this time as Boland rounds off his over.
WICKET! Smith b Boland 0
09:47 , Chris WilsonEngland 211-6
Is this the wobble!? Smith goes for a duck as Boland draws him forward before the ball smashes through middle stump.
Two wickets in four balls for Australia!
WICKET! Stokes run out (Inglis)
09:45 , Chris WilsonEngland 210-5
The England captain is gone and it’s entirely his fault, as he opts to chase a single hit to the off side but Root doesn’t agree and Inglis picks up the loose ball and finds the stumps.
Jamie Smith is up next for the tourists.
England 210-4
09:42 , Chris WilsonDoggett is returning to the bowling for now and England aren't getting a lot, but we have a calamity here...
England 210-4
09:38 , Chris WilsonThat lost review leaves Australia with just one left as Neser takes the ball again.
Another maiden for the pink-ball specialist, with Stokes on 19 and Root on 73 for now.
England are happy to be patient for now with the bat, digging out singles where they can as they look to take control of this second Test.
At the same time, the hosts have brought the field in a little to limit the batsmen, as is shown with a couple of decent strikes going without runs.
However, Root does find a four, crashing it back down the wicket to race to the boundary.
England 206-4
09:31 , Chris WilsonRoot is getting very little from Neser here, blocking well but settling for just a single off the latest over.
Boland is taking over from Starc for now though, so can England capitalise?
Root takes a double before a delivery strikes him on the pad, and Smith opts for the review.
It strikes him square around the knee, but the impact was heading off the stumps to Root survives again!
England 203-4
09:19 , Chris WilsonStokes takes England past 200 with a solid four down the ground.
Starc still bowling around 140km/h though and the England captain doesn’t fancy trying to make contact with too many of them! He settles for four from the over.
England 199-4
09:13 , Chris WilsonRoot brings up 70 after an overthrow but it was good fielding from Inglis to prevent the boundary.
Stokes gets another sharp single to end the over and the tourists are just trying to tick on here.
England 197-4
09:09 , Chris WilsonA practical single to begin with for Root.
Stokes follows with similarly disciplined shots, before Starc asks the question of the umpire regarding the ball – nothing doing again.
Just a single off the 48th over.
Final session
09:04 , Chris WilsonHere we go in the final session of the day then! Under the lights at the Gabba.
Root faces Starc to begin with, and the England man is 32 runs of what would be a famous century.
Starc 'one of our greatest bowlers'
08:58 , Chris WilsonAustralia wicketkeeper Alex Carey briefly spoke to Adam Gilchrist before tea. Here’s what he had to say:
“"He is one of our greatest bowlers that Australia has seen and now the world has seen."
On the conditions under lights, he adds: "It has quickened up a little bit.
"Our eyes adjust a little bit, that slight variation what we see from night to day has started to come in.
"It will be full darkness when we come back out."
England 196-4 at tea
08:51 , Chris WilsonInterestingly, England have gone 98-2 in both of the first two sessions this morning. You imagine they’d take that in the third too!
England 196-4 at tea
08:46 , Chris WilsonAnother interval here as both sides head in for a breather.
Another two wickets for England and they’ve had to be far more patient over the last 30 minutes or so, but Root and Stokes will be fairly happy for now.
England 196-4
08:44 , Chris WilsonSome decent bowling – and some great work from Carey – sees Neser produce another maiden. He’s certainly improved as the lights have come on.
England 196-4
08:39 , Chris WilsonDecent defending from Stokes but Neser bowls a wide to give the tourists one run and prevent another maiden.
Starc up next again, though both Root and Stokes manage to batter away singles to dismiss the threat for now!
England 193-4
08:28 , Chris WilsonThe sun is setting in Brisbane!
Patient, disciplined play from Root as he leaves Starc’s two latest deliveries.
He adds a single on the fourth before Stokes finds one of his own and Root closes it out.
England 191-4
08:24 , Chris WilsonAnother attempt to change the ball from Australia, but the umpire isn’t having it yet.
Stokes is very lucky to find a four, edging through the slips for the boundary. Hands on heads in the Australia field.
The England captain follows it by flicking it off his feet down the other side for another four.
England 182-4
08:19 , Chris WilsonJust a single off Boland in the next over as Stokes looks to settle in the crease.
Starc returns with five dot balls before Root grabs a single and England are at 182.
England 180-4
08:09 , Chris WilsonCan Stokes last out the rest of the over? A couple of close calls early on and then a thick edge to skip past the boundary for four.
WICKET! Brook c Smith b Starc 32
08:07 , Chris WilsonEngland 176-3
It looked like it might come as the lights come on but this is still surprisingly quick.
Starc has a third wicket as Brook swings aggressively and edges it out to Smith at slip.
Ben Stokes is next out.
England 175-3
08:03 , Chris WilsonBack to Green bowling, but England can only take two off him this time – at least until Brook crashes through cover for another four!
Boland returns for his ninth over of the day, and both batsmen can only steal a single before a ball crashes off Root’s pads and prompts a review.
It’s lost though, with the bounce taking it over the stumps, so Root continues!
We’re about to see the return of Starc to the bowling attack.
England 166-3
07:52 , Chris WilsonSix dots from Boland and that’s the first maiden over in a long while.
England 166-3
07:45 , Chris WilsonGreen returns for his third over and Root finds six runs off the first three balls, punching a four back down the wicket.
The tourists take a further three runs before drinks to move to 166-3.
England 157-3
07:39 , Chris WilsonMore patient stuff from England, with a couple of simple covers to block Neser.Just a couple of singles on that over.
Boland up next and he starts with three dot balls, though England grab a single as Green throws against the stumps and it bounces away.
A wide allows Brook to clip away for two to end the over.
England 152-3
07:30 , Chris WilsonAppeals as Neser’s delivery hits the pads, but it’s clearly going down leg side.
Five dot balls to Root but he ends the over with a boundary, finding four past mid-wicket.
Doggett returns for the 33rd over, which begins with two singles before the ball is examined.
We continue with Brook pulling another single, moving the tourists to 150.
And Root adds another single, raising the bat for his half-century. Can he get that elusive 100 on Aussie soil?
Brook flicks a final single over square leg to round off the over.
England 139-3
07:15 , Chris WilsonNo messing around from Brook then. We’ll see how that pans out.
He shuffles out of his crease before swatting another four through the covers.
But has he fallen already!? He tries to clip one over Carey and the ‘keeper catches before stumping him, but replays show he was in his crease. Not out!
A single to end it, and the away fans breathe a sigh of relief!
England 133-3
07:10 , Chris WilsonEspecially disappointing for England there as Neser had looked fairly unthreatening. “A nothing wicket” is the opinion on comms.
Attention must now turn to Brook though, while Root could still have a say as he hunts a 50 of his own. Can this duo build a partnership to take the fight to the hosts?
Brook starts well enough, swatting away a full delivery for four before flicking away the ball at his feet for a double.
And he’s up to 11 already after stepping back and cutting it towards point for anther boundary.
WICKET! Crawley c Carey b Neser 76
07:04 , Chris WilsonEngland 122-3
WICKET! Crawley is gone!
He plays across the line, trying to flick it onto the leg side, it’s an under-edge and it’s straight into Carey’s gloves.
Harry Brook comes out to try and pick up where Crawley left off.
England 121-2
06:58 , Chris WilsonThree singles to begin the 27th over, before a wayward high delivery sees Root edge a four over his shoulder, more by accident than anything else. Carey was diving for it!
Two more similar deliveries end the over and Root has moved to 40.
England 107-2
06:48 , Chris WilsonA nice single on the spin to start with from Root. Crawley’s first shot is a little less settled, clipped behind himself and lucky it didn’t drag onto the stumps. He duly opts to leave the next one!
And he moves England into the 100s with a clever four through leg-side.
And he also brings about the 100 partnership, punching through covers for another four to end the over! Not a bad start from the tourists.
England 98-2 at tea
06:13 , Chris Wilson61 off 80 deliveries for Crawley, 32 off 60 for Root.
It’s been a great morning for the tourists all things considered, with that duo leading a great rebuild after two early wickets from Starc threatened to derail England’s challenge almost as soon as it had begun.
The ground isn't playing as many thought it would and it’s allowed England’s batsmen to settle this morning.
England 93-2
05:55 , Chris WilsonA 20th Test 50 for Zak Crawley. The key for England now is whether he can make it a century.
He risks a single next up, with some great fielding almost putting Root in a spot of bother, before the latter takes another.
And four more for Crawley! He clips it away off his feet and it flies away along the ground.
A single to end it and there are six runs of Green’s latest over.
England 76-2
05:34 , Chris WilsonDoggett giving up very little again before Root hooks around the corner for a single.
The 18th over is similarly economical, with Root finding another single off the third before Crawley drives back past Boland for a boundary.
England 64-2
05:15 , Chris WilsonThree dot balls in the next over though Root does well to punch a three through the off-side covers, before the pair add two more singles.
Boland returns next, starting with four dot balls before a wide and two more dot balls to finish.
Crawley took a swing at the final one, to cheers from the home crowd!
England 45-2
04:53 , Chris WilsonPlenty of length on the deliveries from Boland but neither Crawley or Root are biting so far.
The ball is moving significantly less than expected, it seems, with Crawley already leaving a couple...
But the next delivery comes with an appeal, hitting the pad before Carey takes it. So, will the hosts review?
They decide not to, and replays show it was clearly the pad.
England 2-22
04:22 , Chris WilsonRight, can the visitors steady the ship here? A bit of worry as an edge from Root almost sees a brilliant catch from Smith at slip, but Crawley and Root recover to find the first boundaries of the day.
Another wide from Neser is punched away by Crawley for four, before the hosts avoid making an appeal on the penultimate ball and the over finishes with a single.
England 22-2 after those early slip-ups.
WICKET! Pope b Starc 0
04:17 , Chris WilsonEngland 5-2
WICKET! Oh no, is it going to be one of those days?
Ollie Pope is next to go for a duck as a big inside edge sees Starc celebrating once more!
WICKET! Duckett c Labuschagne b Starc 0
04:13 , Chris WilsonEngland 5-1
WICKET! England have another departure in a first over!
Ben Duckett is gone for a duck this time edging it to first slip where Marnus Labuschagne is waiting!
Mitchell Starc is obviously delighted and that is the ideal start for the hosts!
Australia team news
04:25 , Chris WilsonA reminder of the two big changes to the Australia XI then.
Captain Pat Cummins is once again left out, while Nathan Lyon also comes out of the side.
The Australia XI in full:
Weatherald, Head, Labuschagne, Smith, Green, Inglis, Carey, Neser, Starc, Doggett, Boland.
Ben Stokes needs an Ashes miracle – at the most hostile ground in world cricket
03:25 , Luke BakerTower of London, Edinburgh Castle, Agra Fort... The Gabba. A sporting fortress for Australian cricket to lean on, with England already playing catch-up in the Ashes.
“It’s the most uncomfortable I’ve been on a cricket field,” former England cricketer Mark Butcher said in 2017 of playing at the Gabbatoir. “It hurt your eyeballs. You couldn’t even blink properly.”
The venue is synonymous with Australian cricketing dominance, as the iconic series resumes following the stunning two-day blitz of Ben Stokes’s men in Perth. The shell-shocked tourists, who had the first Test in control at lunch on day two, only to capitulate and succumb to a violent, inspiring innings from Travis Head, face a daunting reintroduction to Ashes cricket. The multi-coloured seats to give an illusion of a full-house, heat hazes caused by the intense Queensland sun and 11 green baggys swarming and hollering as another wilting tourist plays an ill-judged shot. England have not won here since 1986. For 32 years, between 1989 and 2021, no one else won here at all. Just… those guys.
Read Cameron Ponsonby’s full preview of the second Test:
Ben Stokes needs an Ashes miracle – at the most hostile ground in world cricket
