By the end of Day 2, Australia had not only passed England’s first-innings total of 334 but pushed well ahead, finishing on 378/6 in front of a large crowd at a warm and humid Gabba. A good lead could be important, as the pitch is expected to get harder to bat on over the next few days.
Alex Carey, who survived chances on his first ball and again on 25, was unbeaten on 46, with Michael Neser on 15. England’s fast bowlers did strike under the lights in the evening session, but Australia still held control.
The hosts were cruising at 291/3 before Brydon Carse, who had been expensive earlier, suddenly changed the mood by removing Cameron Green (45) and Steve Smith (61) within four balls. England’s short-ball plan finally worked, giving them some hope.
However, England’s bowlers were inconsistent and bowled too many loose deliveries. Australia cashed in, hitting 51 boundaries, while England also dropped four simple catches. Jake Weatherald, playing just his second Test, played confidently for his 72, smashing 12 fours and a six before Jofra Archer trapped him lbw with a swinging yorker.
Marnus Labuschagne, Australia’s form player with a run of centuries in domestic games, looked assured again. He scored 65 as the shadows grew across the ground. He seemed set for another big hundred, but England captain Ben Stokes got him to edge behind to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Steve Smith, wearing black anti-glare strips under his eyes like many American athletes, was the key wicket. Once he settled, he looked impossible to dislodge. But Carse tempted him into a hook shot that Will Jacks caught brilliantly at backward square.
Travis Head, Australia’s star in the first Test win in Perth, fell for 33 before tea.
England’s innings ended early in the morning session. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 138 after guiding England from a shaky 5/2 on Day 1 with his first century in Australia and 40th overall. England had resumed on 325/9, and added only nine more runs before Archer was out for a career-best 38, thanks to a diving catch by Labuschagne that ended an important 70-run last-wicket stand.
Head, who smashed a rapid century in Perth to help Australia win by eight wickets, was more controlled this time after being kept as opener in Usman Khawaja’s absence. It took him 15 balls to get going, and he was lucky to survive on three when Jamie Smith dropped a simple catch from Archer’s bowling. That moment fired him up and he attacked in the next over, but he eventually edged high to Gus Atkinson off Carse.
Weatherald quickly settled in with a series of early boundaries, cutting and driving smoothly. He struck three fours in five balls off Atkinson on a fast outfield and reached his half-century from 45 balls before Archer dismissed him.
Labuschagne continued his strong form, reaching his 25th Test fifty with 10 boundaries during his 65-run knock. Then it was Steve Smith’s turn. He played several classy shots to reach his 44th Test fifty and looked ready for a big score before Carse removed him. Soon after, Stokes dismissed Josh Inglis for 23.
Australia vs England, 2nd Test, Day 2
Australia: 378/6 (73 overs)
England: 334 all out (76.2 overs)
Stumps: Day 2 – Australia lead by 44 runs
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