Australia take a lead of 44 runs into day three of the second Test and have four wickets remaining in the first innings thanks to a momentum swinging day at the Gabba.
England were bowled out for 334 adding just nine to their overnight total with Joe Root ending on 138*. From there Ben Stokes’ side tried to restrict their hosts but wayward bowling and poor fielding have cost them a lead.
Each of Australia’s top seven batters made starts with opener Jake Weatherald (72) notching up his first Test half century and he was followed by Marnus Labuschagne (65) and Steve Smith (61).
Smith built to great partnerships, first with Labuschagne and the with Cameron Green, but when all three were dismissed - including Smith and Green in the same over - England had some fire in their belly.
A stunning Will Jacks catch to dismiss Smith sparked a slight revival but that bit of spectacular fielding was overshadowed but five dropped catches including one off Alex Carey on nought with the Australian wicketkeeper now 46* overnight. The hosts will look to increase the lead with play resumes on Saturday and they are in a strong position to go on and win the game.
Follow all the latest updates, scores and analysis on day one at The Gabba below:
Ashes 2025/26: Australia v England - second Test, day two
- Day two of the second Ashes Test continues at the Gabba | Live on TNT Sports
- Australia are 377-6 at stumps with a lead of 44 runs
- Steve Smith and Cameron Green dismissed in same over to reduce Australia to 292-5
- Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne score fifties as hosts reduce deficit
- Joe Root (138*) and Jofra Archer (38) added to lead as England end on 334 all out
England toil despite Will Jacks’ moment of magic in second Ashes Test
13:00 , Mike JonesWill Jacks took one of the great Ashes catches to lift England but five other chances went down on a sloppy day that handed control of the second Test to Australia.
The tourists were guilty of haphazard bowling and messy handling errors at the Gabba as they allowed their rivals to move into a 44-run lead at 378 for six on the second night of this floodlit match.
England toil despite Will Jacks’ moment of magic in second Ashes Test
Can England win this Test?
12:57 , Mike Jones"We have to show positivity tomorrow and we know our best cricket can turn a fixture really quickly,” Joe Root said.
“If we turn up with our best then this fixture can very quickly turn in our favour.
“Then our talent with the bat can go out there and express themselves in the right way to get a big score to leave them batting last on a tricky surface."
Root on the short ball tactics
12:53 , Mike JonesBrydon Carse took two wickets in an over when England decided to switch it up and bowl short at Cameron Green and Steve Smith.
Of that play, Joe Root said: "It felt like the right way to go, and it's about bowling in partnerships.
“Sometimes changing the rhythm of the game at each end can be beneficial and you can help each other out.
“It worked really well for Brydon to get those couple of wickets, and I think he executed it really well. That will give him confidence going into the game.”
Did England drop catches due to the pink ball?
12:47 , Mike Jones"It is difficult with a pink ball compared to a white ball. I know we play with that in T20 and 50-over cricket but it is slightly different,” Joe Root explained.
“You still back yourself and we practised really hard. We had five days here to make sure we got our work done.
“Unfortunately it's one of those days when they didn't quite stick to hand.
“We just have to make sure we stay confident and when those chances come again we are in a position to take them."
England have some work to do tomorrow
12:41 , Mike JonesJoe Root also provided an assessment of England’s day in the field and admitted they did not play to the top level.
"It's clear we were not at our best,” Root said. “In phases of the game, the way we dragged things back in the last session in particular, and managed to take those wickets in a cluster, shows what this game can be like especially with a pink ball.
"We have obviously some work to do tomorrow but we are still well and truly in this game.
“If we get things right in the morning, apply ourselves in the correct fashion in the way we got about things as a team, then we can get ourselves in a strong position on a wicket that looks like it might have a few cracks to work with later on in the game.
“We have to look at tomorrow morning first and foremost and get that right.”
Josh Hazlewood suffers Ashes injury setback with new timeline for return
12:37 , Mike JonesJosh Hazlewood’s hopes of playing a part in the 2025/26 Ashes series are hanging by a thread after he suffered another setback on his recovery.
Hazlewood was ruled out of the first two Tests of the series, in Perth and Brisbane, and will also be absent for the third Test in Adelaide while he continues to deal with a hamstring injury.
Australia bowler Josh Hazlewood suffers new Ashes injury setback
Root reflects on first century in Australia
12:30 , Mike JonesJoe Root’s innings of 138* is still the standout batting performance of the Test and England will require something similar from him, and others, in their next innings if they are to salvage something from this game.
Speaking of his batting performance Root explained:
"My century yesterday more than anything was good to get us in a position at the end of the day. Especially to finish off with that partnership as that was a crucial part of the game. We knew that after the start we had with the bat we'd need some good partnerships and thankfully managed to get something going.
"I tried not to approach anything different than I have done in the past few years. I've got a very clear plan how to score my runs. I have just got to back myself and if I do that and make good decisions I'll be successful.
"Any time you play in Ashes series and contribute that means a huge amount. Clearly very enjoyable, but the most enjoyable thing was getting us from 5-2 to position where we are in the game. I had some fun with Jofra and never batted with him before."
Is batting getting easier?
12:23 , Mike Jones"You just have to think about batting time otherwise you get too far ahead and start thinking reading into a ball which bounced off a crack or hit you,” said Marnus Labuschagne.
“I think you just have to stay in the moment as much as you can.
"You know if you are bowling good balls in the channel, at the Gabba, it's tough to score with the extra bounce. It's a nice wicket. There's cracks here and there but the majority of times it's really nice and so I think the two guys at the top gave us momentum.
"Jake Weatherald was cutting well on fifth stump before Travis Head got going and we were able to piggy back off their momentum."
Post day thoughts from Marnus Labuschagne
12:16 , Mike JonesMarnus Labuschagne scored 65 runs and batted well in partnership with Steve Smith to help Australia reel in England’s first innings total.
Labuschagne spoke to TNT Sports at the close of play saying: "An exciting day of cricket with a lot happening. There were lots of shots, lots of runs, lots of screamers. An awesome day.
"I would liked to have been a bit more resilient with the bat. Getting out for 65 on the stroke of the changeover between day and night not ideal. But the boys did well.
“Cameron Green came in and Smudge [Steve Smith] batted beautifully and got us to a decent position.”
England toil despite Will Jacks’ moment of magic in second Ashes Test
12:11 , Mike JonesWill Jacks took one of the great Ashes catches to lift England but five other chances went down on a sloppy day that handed control of the second Test to Australia.
The tourists were guilty of haphazard bowling and messy handling errors at the Gabba as they allowed their rivals to move into a 44-run lead at 378 for six on the second night of this floodlit match.
England toil despite Will Jacks’ moment of magic in second Ashes Test
The Test is in the balance
12:05 , Mike JonesAs things stand Australia have their noses ahead and that 44 runs lead looks good.
But, if England can take the remaining four wickets quickly tomorrow then the Test is still in the balance.
Australia can move the needle firmly their own way however with a solid batting performance from Alex Carey and the tail.
A lead over 100 and the Test is their’s to lose.
A bad day in the field
12:00 , Mike JonesEngland have dropped five catches in this innings so far with four of them after the lights were on in the third session.
Across all Ashes Tests in Australia, they've dropped more catches only once (6 drops in Adelaide, 2021) since the start of 2006 where such data has been available.
'Bazballers have been bazballed'
11:56 , Mike JonesHere’s Michael Vaughan summing up the day on Radio 5 Live:
“Well, the Bazballers have been Bazballed. I have never seen Australia bat like that.
“Australia were gifted a start. Today was so important that England set the tone with the ball in hand, particularly against someone like Travis Head. They bowled so wide and so short to Jake Weatherald, and he played some nice shots.
“If you go back to the first Test in Perth - we all praised England with the ball in hand. It was probably as good as I've seen from an England attack.
“Today was probably as bad I have seen for a period and then there was a period where they got it right.
“The one thing that England have not been able to do all day is have control. Even when they got a wicket, there was always a boundary flying.”
England's dropped catches
11:50 , Mike JonesPerhaps it was always going to be like that?
Jamie Smith put Travis Head down when he was on 3 then late in the day Alex Carey was dropped twice with Josh Inglis and Michael Neser also reprieved.
Carey sits on 46 and Neser 15 overnight with their partnership worth 49.
Can England break it quickly tomorrow?
An energy-sapping day for England
11:43 , Mike JonesTMS Commentator Phil Tufnell says England’s fielding has let them down.
“Another energy-sapping day in the field for England,” he began.
“They got themselves back into it from that double-wicket over from Brydon Carse, and they had the opportunities.
“Five dropped catches, you just can't do that at the top level. We have talked about being ruthless and seizing the moment and I'm afraid England slightly dropped it.”
Stumps! Australia 377-6
11:33 , Mike JonesJofra Archer will bowl the final over of the day.
Carey pulls him away to move to 46 and within one blow of a half century.
Neser has the strike though. He defends the final five deliveries and sees out the over.
Stumps on day two and Australia lead by 44 runs with four wickets remaining.
Australia 377-6
11:29 , Mike JonesAtkinson overpitches and Carey unloads on a glorious cover drive which finds the boundary for four!
Two more for Carey and he’s closing quickly in on a fifty. He’s up ot 45 at a rate better than a run a ball.
It’s impressive stuff from the Australian number six.
Australia 368-6
11:24 , Mike JonesThis partnership is up to 39 now and the lead if 34.
Neser slaps Archer away through point for four which causes a response.
Short pitched bowling and a bit of evasion necessary for Neser.
Australia 363-6
11:20 , Mike JonesThat’s five catches that have gone down now for England.
Ben Stokes catch believe it.
The Joe Root drop was tough, he saw it late and had to leap to the right. It was a tough one and halfway between keeper and slip.
Meanwhile, the lead keeps building for Australia.
Australia 356-6
11:18 , Mike JonesGus Atkinson is on for a short burst before the end of the day.
Neser works him away from three runs to bring Carey on strike.
Carey gets a thick edge and Root drops it at first slip!
Another one goes down as Australia move above 350.
Australia 349-6
11:16 , Mike JonesArcher now finds Neser’s edge but there’s no one in the slip cordon to take the catch.
A frustrating over for the quick bowler ends with three runs coming from it.
Australia 346-6
11:14 , Mike JonesAustralia’s lead is up the 12.
Neser has looked solid. He’s playing straight and getting in line with the ball.
Stokes puts a short leg in to upset him.
Dropped! It works, Neser backs off and slaps the ball to Carse at wide mid off but Carse fumbles it and drops the ball.
Too many have gone down for England today, that might be the worst one.
Australia 342-6
11:08 , Mike JonesCarey is still chipping away and accummulating runs where he can.
Archer goes full and the left-hander blazes him through the gap at cover for three runs.
He’s into the twenties now which means each of Australia’s top seven have all scored 20 or more in this innings.
Australia 336-6
11:04 , Mike JonesStokes bowls an over which goes for one. He hobbles around and looks to have a bit of cramp.
As such the 12th man comes on and Stokes takes on some fluids to ease the damage.
Jofra Archer is brought back into the attack.
Australia 335-6
10:58 , Mike JonesCarse continues. He’s been troubling Carey and the wicket has probably bought him another over.
Jofra Archer looks like he’s warming up as well.
Carey smokes Carse for four before a couple of singles bring Australia into the lead.
Any runs from here and a big bonus for them and will put them in the driving seat in this Test.
Review! Australia 329-6
10:53 , Mike JonesPinned him! Stokes gets the ball to move back in towards Michael Neser and hits him on the pads.
England erupt in appeals but are turned down.
Ben Stokes reviews it but he’s not confident...
... rightly so. There’s an inside edge which saves Neser.
Wicket! Inglis b Stokes 23 (AUS 329-6)
10:51 , Mike JonesThat’s a beauty!
Ben Stokes gets the breakthrough with a corker. The ball is angled to move away from the right hander but pitches and jags back.
Inglis is beaten and the stumps are broken.
Australia are six down.
Australia 329-5
10:48 , Mike JonesDropped!
Stokes draws the edge from Inglis again and this time it’s a chance.
Ben Duckett at gully sticks out his right hand, gets a good chunk of the ball but it spills out.
Inglis has a lifeline. Both of these batters have now been dropped by Duckett.
Australia 327-5
10:45 , Mike JonesCarse has three wickets but he’s been expensive and now looks a bit tired. I’d expect him to have only one or two overs in this spell.
He tries to pepper Carey with some short stuff but gets it wrong as the ball leaps too high over Carey’s head.
Just two from the over.
Australia 325-5
10:40 , Mike JonesThere’s still around an hour left to play today which equates to about 10-12 overs.
England would love another couple of wickets before the close.
Stokes continues and Carey nudges him away for one.
Inglis then edges another past the slips and collects another four. Stokes hasn’t had a third man in all day and so many runs have been scored down there.
Better! Inglis strides into a square drive and nails it. A more composed shot from him and he mullers it for four.
Australia 315-5
10:34 , Mike JonesCarey is looking to be positive. Neither of these batters are going into their shells.
Three runs come with a hook into the offside off Carse. Inglis then strokes him through cover for two more.
The field is spread but that might not be the best tactic, there’s plenty of space for these two batters to find runs.
Carey is on 12 and Inglis 11.
Australia 309-5
10:29 , Mike JonesEdge! Josh Inglis gets off strike with a simple single and that means he has to face up to Ben Stokes.
Stokes offers up the chance to drive and Inglis takes it. It’s an error in judgement though and the ball finds the edge but flies through the gap wide of second slip and brings four runs.
Inglis goes after a shorter delivery and swipes it wide of gully this time. It’s not a controlled shot but the result is another boundary.
There are chances here for England but they may come at a cost of plenty of runs.
Australia 300-5
10:22 , Mike JonesCarse continues. He’s on cloud nine after those two wickets.
his speeds are up and he’s accurately aiming for the body. Carey is jumping all over the crease.
He’s trying to counter punch and knock England off their lines.
A flick to midwicket brings up Australia’s 300 and Carey moves to 9.
Australia 296-5
10:20 , Mike JonesStokes is back on. He’s rotating the bowlers in one over spells but may fall back on regulation Test bowling.
There are two slips in place to Carey who is watchful and defensive.
All of a sudden there’s a bit of movement. Stokes beats the edge and Jamie Smith was very excited for half a heartbeat.
Carey then advances down the pitch and gets a thick edge. The ball flies over the gap between the slips and gully and the batter gets away with one.
Australia 292-5
10:16 , Mike JonesJosh Inglis is the new batter and the pressure has switched onto Australia.
They still trail by 42 and there are now two new batters in the most testing conditions of the day.
One more wicket and England are into the bowlers.
Wicket! Smith c Jacks b Carse 61 (AUS 292-5)
10:12 , Mike JonesSmith is gone!
The short ball tactic works this time as Smith half hooks the ball into the legside.
He doesn’t catch it well and there’s half a chance for Will Jacks.
He scrambles across the turf, leaps towards the ball and grasps it one-handed before scooping it into his chest and clinging on!
Australia 291-4
10:10 , Mike JonesDropped!
Alex Carey is in trouble on his first ball. Carse pummels it in short and targets the body.
Carey gloves the ball into the air and loops it to gully.
Ben Duckett leaps forward and grabs the ball low but it bounces out as he hits the ground.
Wicket! Green b Carse 45 (AUS 291-4)
10:08 , Mike JonesCarse gets him!
Cam Green has been backing away to give himself room to dispatch the short stuff but Carse double bluffs him.
He bowls full and straight and Green catch reach the ball before it clatters into the stumps.
That’s the wicket England needed. Can they get a couple more?
Australia 290-3
10:07 , Mike JonesJofra Archer challenges the outside edge again but has limited success though he sends down a maiden.
Brydon Carse is back on and is back to banging the ball in short.
Just a change in ends then...
Australia 290-3
10:04 , Mike JonesWe’re into the nitty gritty part of the day. The pink balls were supposed to move through the air at this stage of the day but there’s been very little help for England.
Ben Stokes brings himself on after the short ball tactic from Brydon Carse failed.
The field is set to target the stumps and get Green and Smith driving.
They do but they’re also watchful and just one run comes from the over.
Australia 289-3
10:01 , Chris WilsonJust two off Atkinson’s latest over but the field is looking down for the tourists.
They look out of ideas, while Smith and Green look like they could do this all night.
Australia trail by just 45 at the moment.
Australia 287-3
09:56 , Chris WilsonThings really haven't gone England’s way in this over!
Very expensive, as a four and a three are followed by Smith launching a six over his shoulder and over the wicketkeeper.
Two singles follow before a wide and a final single, and the hosts move to 287.
Australia 270-3
09:51 , Chris WilsonIt’s just not happening for England at the moment. They need something to change quickly here.
Atkinson sees Smith misjudge one of his deliveries before he inside edges a delivery that narrowly misses the stumps.
Three off that over as Carse steps up.
Australia 266-3
09:41 , Chris WilsonArcher looks bewildered as he’s hit for a second four of his next over, with Australia moving past the 250 mark. They look very comfortable out there.
Both fours were guided down to deep third and Smith does the same off Atkinson’s second ball, with the runs really stacking up now.
The last-ditch fielding can’t prevent another four flying down midwicket, and Smith brings up his 50 with a single to take a half-century off 67 balls.
10 runs off that last over from Atkinson.
Australia 247-3
09:31 , Chris WilsonThe new ball isn’t moving a lot though Archer concedes just one and a leg bye on his next over.
And there’s another brief break here as Green needs some treatment after Atkinson’s first ball, and he’s fine to carry on.
Only two more from that over and Australia move closer to 250.
Australia 243-3
09:20 , Chris WilsonA maiden over from Atkinson is better news but England aren’t really threatening the settled pairing of Smith and Green.
There’s a brief break as the ball is reviewed by the umpire, and the new box of balls is making its way onto the pitch.
Archer doesn’t look hugely impressed as he laughs upon taking the new ball, and he’ll be first to bowl with it.
Australia 243-3
09:13 , Chris WilsonIt’ll be Gus Atkinson to begin with this evening in Brisbane.
He starts well enough but concedes a four off the final ball, before Archer takes the ball next.
Smith sneaks a fortunate four after he edges it over the wicketkeeper, before he guides a lovely six to a similar area moments later. 10 of f the over and Australia trail by just 91.
Australia 228-3
08:59 , Chris WilsonRIght them, the night session is coming up in Brisbane and we should have at least a couple of hours under the full lights.
Can England remove Labuchagne or Smith quickly to get the boost they need?
Australia 228-3
08:49 , Chris WilsonThe second session saw just two wickets for England but they were important ones, with Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald falling.
However, Smith and Green have powered on patiently since that latter wicket, and now Australia have the advantage with just 106 runs to chase for now.
Australia 228-3
08:43 , Chris WilsonStokes starts the next over with four dot balls but Smith carves out a three before Green puts away a four from a wayward delivery.
Australia trail by just 106 runs and you have to say they’re looking in good stead at tea.
Australia 221-3
08:37 , Chris WilsonGreen somehow finds a fortunate four off Stokes, who concedes six on that over. We’ve got another 5 minutes or so until the next tea break.
Carse concedes three and a double before a Smith single takes Australia to 221.
Australia 209-3
08:28 , Chris WilsonStokes’ next over doesn't manage to trouble the hosts, and they end the 40th over trailing by 125 runs.
Carse delivers a maiden over on the next one – with some help from a good dive from Duckett – as the sun continues to set in Brisbane.
Australia 204-3
08:17 , Chris WilsonCameron Green’s four takes Australia to 200, and they now trail by 134 runs. That’s the end for Stokes’ over, with Carse up next.
Bit of a break there as Smith needs treatment after a quick delivery skims his elbow and back thigh, but he’s alright.
A three and a single follow.
WICKET! Labuschagne c Smith b Stokes 65
08:07 , Chris WilsonAustralia 196-3
Stokes takes the next big scalp as Marnus Labuschagne goes!
The England captain sees his delivery nicked behind and it flies into the grateful gloves of Smith at wicketkeeper.
65 for Labuschagne and not a bad stand at all.
Australia 196-2
08:02 , Chris WilsonA fairly expensive over from Stokes as he’s hit for seven, one of which is a solid four from Labuschagne.
The tourists are looking a little out of ideas with the ball really, as was the case with Australia – Starc aside – at times.
Carse comes back in next and he goes for four off the first delivery, with three more following to take this batting partnership to 50.
Australia 182-2
07:53 , Chris WilsonLabuschagne brings about the 50 as he sends a top-edge over the wicketkeeper for four.
That’s 50 off 67 deliveries for the Australian, who has quote the record in pink-ball matches.
Three more added at the end of the over and Australia have 182 from 35 overs.
Australia 174-2
07:44 , Chris WilsonCarse’s over yields nine for Australia, with Labuschagne now on 41.
Archer does indeed return, so looks like just Atkinson off for now.
A four from Labuschagne takes him to within touching distance of the 50, and he takes a single off the final ball of the over as we head to the drinks break.
Australia 161-2
07:35 , Chris WilsonThe lights are on at the Gabba, though it’ll be 45 minutes or so before they take full effect.
Labuschagne finds a big six off Archer’s final ball of the over, and that’s the last we’ll see of his pace for now, with Carse taking over.
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Australia 155-2
07:30 , Chris WilsonJust a single allowed by Archer in the next over and the tourists are starting to build a bit of pressure.
Another maiden for Atkinson follows, and Australia trail by 179 runs at the moment. The hosts’ scoring has really slowed down at this point.
Australia 154-2
07:21 , Chris WilsonSmith gets off the mark with three from Archer on the next over, and it’s a little more expensive, with six from that one.
Atkinson begins with five dot balls, nearly tempting Labuschagne as he misses a rising ball.
Another maiden from Atkinson.
Australia 147-2
07:12 , Chris WilsonSmith faces one delivery from Archer before Atkinson returns, and he allows just one run from Labuschagne.
WICKET! Weatherald lbw b Archer 72
07:08 , Chris WilsonAustralia 146-2
Another breakthrough for England!
It’s a full delivery from Archer and he traps him lbw. No doubt about that one.
Steve Smith will be next out.
Australia 141-1
07:03 , Chris WilsonJust four off the next over for Archer, and he’s been by far England’s best bowler so far. He threatened there too, tempting Weatherald into a swing and a miss that draws a smile from the Australian.
Again, it’s a decent over from Atkinson too, though he does concede a boundary, with Weatherald cutting through point to take himself to 68.
Australia 133-1
06:54 , Chris WilsonJust the one from Weatherald and it’s a much better over from England, with Archer continuing his solid form. 0-10 from his six overs.
Gus Atkinson is back on the attack too, producing another solid over and conceding just two singles. He tested Weatherald with a couple of good deliveries, with one miss leaving Root with his hands on his head.
Australia 130-1
06:44 , Chris WilsonLabuschagne and Weatherald are coming back out now! We’ll be back underway soon.
Leach speaks on first Test
06:36 , Chris Wilson“I feel like I need to apologise to the public because I didn't realise how exhausting we are to watch,” says Leach on the first Test in Perth.
“It was an unbelievable game, it was a game I thought we were on top of for a long period.
“I saw that as a positive. In terms of when I was over there, I didn't feel like we were in any game to win them.
“It had a difficult feel to it in that way and then Travis Head played a great innings and made it look more one-sided towards the end.
“I know how this team thinks and they will have taken positives from that, and they will be hoping to put that into this game, but having lost that first game, this game becomes massive.
“You cannot expect to go 2-0 down and expect to win in Australia, so we need a result here,” he added.
Leach speaking to BBC
06:31 , Chris WilsonEngland spinner Jack Leach has been speaking to BBC.
“I cannot believe I woke up yesterday and saw that Nathan Lyon was left out. I was so shocked,” he told the Test Match Special show.
“He has such a good record at the Gabba and with the pink ball he is one of the most experienced.
“I have so much respect for him as a bowler, and he has put us under so much pressure in the past.
“It feels like maybe reacting to how the first Test went and how quickly the game went and expecting a similar pace of the game.
“How the wicket is going, it is playing better than what both teams expected. I am sure Australia would love to have Lyon in that second innings.
“It's a big role for Will Jacks. For Jacks, it must be nice not to have Lyon play. When I was over there, as a spinner, you have that me against the other spinner. Jacks doesn't have to worry about that,” he added.
Root's parents react to 135
06:25 , Chris WilsonJoe Root’s parents Helen and Matt were chatting to TNT Sports about their son’s first Test century in Australia earlier on. Here’s what they had to say:
Helen Root: “Everybody has been talking about his monkey on his back. All he will care about is if England win the Test match. He just loved playing cricket from a young age. Exactly what you see is what you get from Joe.”
Matt Root: “I was pretty nervous when Mitchell Starc was swinging it about and England were 5-2 and then again when Joe got into the nineties.“If we can make another 30 runs today and followed by early wickets it would put us in a good position. It’s Joe’s fourth series here and he is yet to win a Test match. It would be great to go to Adelaide 1-1.”
Australia 130-1
06:20 , Chris WilsonA reminder of what has happened this morning/afternoon then.
Root and Archer went out again and despite some great shots they only lasted two overs or so, with Marnus Labuschagne taking a brilliant catch in the deep off Archer to leave England 334 all out.
Australia, led by Travis Head and Jake Weatherald, looked for quick runs in the first session and they managed to get them, with the latter racing to Australia’s fastest 50 in a decade off just 44 balls.
Head was dropped on three early on and though he only managed to get 33 before hooking high and being taken by Atkinson, that was another thing that negatively affected an England bowling attack that has not found its radar early on in Brisbane.
130-1 for Australia at the break and England need to make sure this one doesn’t get away from them.
Australia 130-1
06:12 , Chris Wilson
Australia 130-1
06:05 , Chris WilsonStokes to bowl the final over before the tea break then. It starts with a single for Weatherald.
Three more are added late on and the first break of the day comes with Australia at 130-1, trailing by just 204 runs.
Australia 125-1
06:00 , Chris WilsonNot a great start from Jacks either as he concedes four byes down the leg side, before Weatherald flicks it for four through fine leg and then adds another four playing it back down the wicket.
Australia 112-1
05:56 , Chris WilsonAustralia’s run rate hit six with that last over. It’s not going to plan for the tourists.
Better from Stokes on the next over though, testing Weatherald with a couple of close deliveries, but the hosts take three from the over.
One more before tea, it appears, and Will Jacks will bowl next.
Australia 109-1
05:51 , Chris WilsonOne four driven back down the wicket from Labuschagne as Stokes concedes seven on his next over.
Weatherald takes two fours off the first two balls from Carse next up, guiding the second over the slips to bring the hosts to 100.
One ball later, he has his 50 after grabbing a single, before Labuschagne is next to grab a four before adding another boundary by firing through cover.
A very expensive over for England and the tourists are starting to run out of momentum ahead of tea.
17 runs in that over.
Australia 84-1
05:40 , Chris WilsonBetter signs for England now as Stokes tests Labuschagne before Weatherald almost edges a delivery. Only one off that over, plus a no ball.
Carse also tests Labuschagne with a lovely delivery that is very well left by the Australia batsman, beating the inside edge, before a sensible defensive shot is followed by his first boundary of the day.
Australia 77-1
05:30 , Chris WilsonMarnus Labuschagne is out next as Carse continues his attack. One more run conceded and that’s a great over for the tourists.
WICKET! Head c Atkinson b Carse 33
05:26 , Chris WilsonAustralia 77-1
There’s the breakthrough! It’s come a little later than it should have but Head is gone!
He tries to work it to leg side and he hooks it very high. Atkinson is there underneath it and takes it well!
Australia 77-0
05:23 , Chris WilsonBack out with Carse on the attack then, and Weatherald touches over the slips for a six behind!
Three more singles follow before Stokes returns with the ball.
His first delivery is full but Stokes returns it back where it came from for a four, before clipping away down leg side for another four.
Australia 57-0
05:12 , Chris WilsonStokes into the attack now then, and it’s not the best start, as he’s hot for a three shortly followed by a boundary.
It’s not happening for the tourists with the ball at the moment.
In for drinks now!
Australia 50-0
05:06 , Chris WilsonCarse comes in to bowl now, and he’s hit for a four and a six on his fourth and fifth deliveries.
50 up for the hosts after 10 overs, and that’s a decent scoring rate so far now.
Australia 36-0
05:02 , Chris WilsonCLOSE! Heads in hands around the England players after Head clips a delivery with the outside edge and Smith can’t hold onto it! That could have been huge.
Head adds a single and Weatherald carves out a four before adding one more.
Australia 30-0
04:56 , Chris WilsonThree boundaries from Weatherald as he puts two through the covers and another down leg side.
A high-scoring over for the hosts off Atkinson.
Australia 18-0
04:52 , Chris WilsonNot a lot of movement on the ball at all early on here for England’s bowlers.
Australia’s openers find three of Atkinson’s latest over, and he’s looked the more dangerous of the two bowlers.
Archer is back on, giving up just one run and regularly coming in around 145km/h at the moment.
Head was beaten on the outside edge on one or two occasions but the home batsmen aren’t biting yet.
Australia 14-0
04:44 , Chris WilsonHead finds his first runs of the day before he clips a four down leg side, though Archer tests him with a lovely delivery that beats the the outside edge.
Australia 8-0
04:39 , Chris WilsonFirst runs of the day for the hosts and the first boundary as Weatherald cuts behind for four.
He takes another four moments later as he hooks the final delivery high behind him and it just about makes the boundary.
Australia 0-0
04:35 , Chris WilsonThree maidens in a row as Archer finds another. Head was interested in a couple but they’re both straight to square leg.
Australia 0-0
04:32 , Chris WilsonAnother maiden, this one more dangerous than Archer’s, from Gus Atkinson. There was a half-hearted appeal as the first delivery hit the pads, but not a lot to trouble the opening pairing so far.
Australia 0-0
04:26 , Chris WilsonA maiden from Archer to start with then! Still trying to find the radar and only one of the deliveries interested Head anyway.
Australia vs England
04:23 , Chris WilsonJofra Archer to begin with the ball then, and here we go!
Australia vs England
04:21 , Chris WilsonRight then, Ben Stokes leads England out onto the field and Travis Head and Jake Weatherald come out to bat for Australia.
Match stats
04:19 , Chris WilsonThe partnership of Joe Root and Jofra Archer earned 70 in 9.4 overs, which is England's highest ten wickets stand in Australia since 1951. Archer's score is the highest by a number 11 since 1903.
WICKET! Archer c Labuschagne b Doggett 38
04:13 , Chris WilsonEngland all out for 334.
That will be that! Archer connects well with a shot out into the deep and Marnus Labuschagne is there to make a stunning one-handed catch.
England 333-9
04:09 , Chris WilsonHuge cheers from the Barmy Army as Archer leans into it and drives through cover for a four!
That’s the only connection of the over, mind you, but some disciplined shot selection means England survive another over.
England 329-9
04:05 , Chris WilsonFour from the first over for England, with two singles each from the final batsmen.
Mitchell Starc is up next.
Australia v England
04:01 , Chris WilsonWhat sort of challenge can Root and Archer put up this morning then?
Brendan Doggett will be first to bowl, Root first to face.
Straight on the offensive from Root, who tries to find a boundary but fires to square leg.
He adds a single on the second ball of the over.
Australia v England
04:00 , Mike JonesOkay then, day two of the second Test is about to get underway.
Joe Root and Jofra Archer will stride out to the crease to hopefully extend England’s lead of 325.
The more runs they can get with a smash and grab this morning (or afternoon for those of you in Brisbane) the better position they’ll be in when they start to bowl.
Let’s see how they get on...
Australia v England
03:40 , Mike JonesEngland have a slight advantage in the second Ashes Test match thanks to a fabulous 135* from Joe Root on day one at the Gabba.
Root had never scored a hundred in Australia before yesterday’s heroics rescued England from the terrible position of 5-2 after Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were dismissed early on. He was the anchor for England’s innings with contributions also coming from Zak Crawley (76), Harry Brook (31) and Jofra Archer (32*).
The latter came as part of an exciting and bombastic 10th wicket stand with Root that brought 61 runs and took the visitors to the close of play. Both players will continue their attack on the Australian bowlers before aiming to early inroads into the batting line-up.
England’s bowling unit, led by Archer and Gus Atkinson, will look to Mitchell Starc for inspiration after the left-arm seamer took six wickets on Thursday to continuously halt England’s progress. Day two is set to be another exciting and thrilling affair full of twists and turns that only Test cricket can provide.
Should England have declared?
03:20 , 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.”
Joe Root silences his last remaining critics with England century for the Ashes history books
03:00 , 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. Thirteen 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
Alex Carey reviews Australia's day one performance
02:40 , 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."
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
