Australia's Strong Performance in Second Ashes Test Against England

Australia's Dominance on Day 2 of the Ashes Test

Brisbane [Australia], December 5: Australia showcased a powerful performance during the second session of Day 2 in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, with Marnus Labuschagne contributing significantly by scoring a remarkable half-century. By the end of the session, Australia found themselves trailing England's first innings total of 334 by just 106 runs.

At the conclusion of the second session, Australia stood at 228/3 after 44 overs, with captain Steve Smith (24*) and Cameron Green (22*) both remaining at the crease.

Beginning the session at 130/1 in 21 overs, openers Jake Weatherald (59*) and Marnus Labuschagne (27*) were looking solid.

Weatherald maintained his aggressive batting style, hitting a boundary off Gus Atkinson in the 25th over.

However, his innings came to an end when Jofra Archer bowled a devastating yorker, resulting in Weatherald being adjudged LBW in the 26th over. He finished with an impressive score of 72 runs from 78 balls, including 12 fours and one six.

Following Weatherald's dismissal, England tightened their bowling against Smith and Labuschagne.

Labuschagne broke the pressure with a massive six off Archer on the last ball of the 32nd over. The next over saw Brydon Carse concede nine runs, relieving some of the tension for Australia.

Labuschagne became the first player to surpass 1000 runs in day-night Tests and reached his 25th Test half-century with a boundary against Carse in the 35th over.

England's captain Ben Stokes delivered a stunning ball that ended Labuschagne's innings at 65 runs off 78 balls, featuring nine fours and one six.

After Labuschagne's exit, Cameron Green joined Smith at the crease, quickly scoring four boundaries to help Australia head into dinner in a strong position.

Day 2 commenced with England resuming at 325/9, with Joe Root (135*) and Jofra Archer (32*) at the crease. The visitors added only nine runs to their overnight score before being bowled out for 334, with Brendan Doggett taking Archer's wicket.

Root, who scored his first Test century on Australian soil, remained unbeaten at 138 runs from 206 balls, including 15 fours and one six.

This score marked the highest individual total against Australia in a day-night Test, surpassing Asad Shafiq's previous record of 137 runs set in 2016 at the Gabba.

The 10th wicket partnership of 70 runs between Root and Archer was the highest for England in Australia since the 1951/52 series.

Mitchell Starc had an outstanding performance for Australia, taking 6 wickets for 75 runs in 20 overs, marking his second five-wicket haul in this Ashes series and his 18th overall in Test cricket.

In response, Australia’s opener Travis Head contributed 33 runs, while Weatherald celebrated his maiden Test half-century as Australia reached 130/1 in the first session.

On Day 1, England made a strong comeback after losing early wickets, with Crawley and Root forming a solid 93-run partnership. Root achieved his maiden century in Australia, reaching the milestone in 181 balls.

This marked Root's 40th century in Test cricket, and he became the second English player to score a century on the opening day of a Gabba Test, joining Maurice Leyland.

Overall, Root became the eighth player to score a Test century for England at the Gabba.

Brief Scores: England 334 (Zak Crawley 76, Joe Root 138*, Mitchell Starc 6/75) vs Australia 228/3 (Jake Weatherald 72, Marnus Labuschagne 65*)