Australian batting aggression puts England under pressure in 2nd Ashes test

 


The second day at the Gabba unfolded less like a showcase of skill and more like a catalogue of English mistakes. Australia sparkled with two outstanding catches from Marnus Labuschagne and Will Jacks, yet it was England’s five dropped chances—an almost historic lapse—that shaped the day. Given those gifts, Australia duly feasted, hammering 378 runs, the highest tally ever recorded in a single day of a day-night Test.

The morning began calmly enough for England. Brendan Doggett ended their innings at 334, removing Jofra Archer with a stunning airborne grab from Labuschagne. Even so, England walked off upbeat after a remarkable tenth-wicket stand dragged them far beyond the 260 target they would have gladly taken the night before.

What followed with the ball, however, bordered on bewildering. Travis Head, standing in for the injured Usman Khawaja, should have gone early, only for Jamie Smith to spill a regulation edge. Energised by the Gabba’s bounce, England’s attack lurched between half-volleys and long hops, and debutant Jake Weatherald punished them mercilessly en route to an assertive maiden Test fifty. His rapid 77-run stand with Head set the tone for an afternoon in which batting became increasingly comfortable.

Brydon Carse removed Head, but Labuschagne—passing 1,000 day-night Test runs—settled instantly and steered a fluent 69-run stand with Weatherald. Australia roared to 125/1 after just 20 overs, leaving England’s bowlers searching, again, for rhythm or imagination.

Archer pushed through one of his heaviest workloads, firing a blistering yorker to dismiss Weatherald and peppering Steve Smith with sharp blows, yet breakthroughs remained sparse. Michael Neser survived after Carse grassed a straightforward chance, adding to a growing list of English errors.

Labuschagne and Smith collected polished half-centuries before Stokes removed the former in the twilight. A brief clatter followed—Cameron Green’s stumps shattered by Carse, and Smith dismissed by a leaping, acrobatic catch from Jacks—but England squandered the momentum as more catching failures crept in. Ben Duckett dropped two at gully, Root missed one at slip, and Australia calmly rebuilt.

Inglis (23) played some pleasant shots before getting out & Carey who looked edgy at the start proceeded to play some glorious strokes to stay unbeaten on 46 at close . 

By the close, Australia had scorched along at over five an over, harvesting most of their runs behind square thanks to England’s misguided lengths. With a 44-run lead, four wickets in hand, and Alex Carey set, the hosts ended the day feeling they had already neutralised whatever late-match demons the Gabba pitch might yet reveal.


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