Brisbane, December 6, 2025 - Australia ended Day 2 of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in a commanding position, reaching 378/6 and establishing a 44-run lead over England. The home side will look to build on this advantage on Day 3, with wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey holding the key to stretching their lead past 100.
England's bowlers struggled to maintain consistency, while their fielders put down a number of catches, letting Australia off the hook. Australia, on the other hand, capitalized on these opportunities, with solid contributions from their top order.
Day 2 Summary
Australia began their innings on Day 2 in response to England's first innings total of 334, which included a century from Joe Root. The English bowlers struggled to build pressure, and Australia's batsmen took full advantage. Jake Weatherald (72), Marnus Labuschagne (65), and Steve Smith (61) all registered half-centuries, putting the hosts in a dominant position.
Brydon Carse managed to grab three wickets, while Ben Stokes chipped in with two. However, England's efforts were undermined by dropped catches and inconsistent bowling. At stumps, Alex Carey remained unbeaten on 46, with Michael Neser not out on 15.
Earlier in the day, England's innings ended quickly, adding only nine runs to their overnight score of 325/9. Jofra Archer was the last man out, caught by Labuschagne for 38. Mitchell Starc finished with figures of 6/75 for Australia.
Carey's Crucial Role
Alex Carey's innings will be vital for Australia as they aim to extend their lead on Day 3. Carey, known for his solid batting and wicket-keeping skills, has the potential to frustrate the English bowlers and push Australia towards a substantial first-innings advantage. He has a knack for playing "match-shaping innings," and Australia will be hoping he can convert his current score into a significant contribution.
"It was a crucial last hour there for us," said Labuschagne, highlighting the importance of Carey and Neser's unbroken partnership at the end of the day.
England's Woes
England's struggles on Day 2 were compounded by dropped catches and wayward bowling. Ben Duckett dropped two chances, reprieving Carey early in his innings. Joe Root also missed a difficult chance off Carey. These errors proved costly, allowing Australia to build a solid lead.
The English media criticized the team's performance, with some describing their bowling as the "worst of the Bazball era". The high run rate of 5.17 underscored England's inability to control the game.
Looking Ahead
As Australia enters Day 3 with a 44-run lead and four wickets in hand, their immediate focus will be on building a triple-figure advantage. The pitch is expected to deteriorate, making runs harder to come by as the match progresses. England will need to regroup and produce a disciplined bowling and fielding performance to claw their way back into the contest.
