What started as a morning of quiet English consolidation turned into a rollercoaster that ended with Australia taking a 44-run lead at stumps on Day 2 at the Gabba, as the hosts finished with 378/6 on the board.
England were rolled over in the first hour, Australian openers, with Travis Head promoted up the order, providing a solid start. Then Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne counter-attacked brilliantly before the likes of Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis and Michael Nesser added on to the total to help the hosts go in ascendency on Day 2.
Earlier, Brendan Doggett needed only 16 balls in the morning to finish the job. Jofra Archer skied a pull and Labuschagne took a sensational full-length diving catch, a contender for catch of the series already.
After Head’s innings ended with the score on 77/1, Weatherald (72) and Labuschagne (65) added 69 runs in 76 balls.
Weatherald played with freedom, driving and pulling elegantly in front of a raucous Gabba crowd. Labuschagne looked to be back to his fluent best, racing to a half-century. England’s bowlers looked short of match sharpness, lines and lengths were erratic and Ben Stokes visibly looked frustrated. To add to his woes, England dropped six catches
Archer finally broke through just before the dinner break, nailing Weatherald with a 141 kph delivery. Australia went to the break on 228/3, still 106 behind but scoring at 5 an over.
Cameron Green began like a T20 opener, lacing cover drives and racing to 22 off 25 balls. Steve Smith ticked along to another Gabba fifty and overtook David Warner for most Gabba Test runs by an Australian. Alex arey held the fort along with Michael Nesser to put Australia in a strong position.
Standout Performances:
Jake Weatherald (72): The player in his second Test announced himself with a punchy, confident knock under lights.
Marnus Labuschagne (65): Best Test innings in over a year; fluent, positive, and a screamer in the deep to finish England’s first innings.
Ben Stokes: 2/93 and the sheer force of will; he dragged England back into the contest when everything was slipping.
Brydon Carse: 3/113 expensive early, but the late burst under lights (Green, Smith and the near-miss with Carey) brought England back in the game.
Australia have Carey and the tail, while England have the second new ball only seven overs away and a pumped-up bowling unit that finally found rhythm under lights. Day 3 under lights again promises to be an absolute theatre.
If Australia can bat another 20-25 overs and add another 100 runs to the already 44-run lead, they remain heavy favourites. If England rip through the rest quickly, then this Test is alive in a way few expected 48 hours ago.
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