A dramatic and fiercely contested opening day of the second Ashes Test at The Gabba in Brisbane saw England captain Joe Root produce a monumental, unbeaten century to salvage his side's innings after a devastating spell from Australia's Mitchell Starc.
Early Carnage as Starc Strikes Twice
Having won the toss and chosen to bat, England's decision immediately backfired. Mitchell Starc produced a blistering opening spell, removing both Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks within the first three overs. The tourists were reeling at 2/2, their hopes of building a strong first-innings total in tatters from the outset.
Root and Crawley Forge Vital Partnership
Faced with a crisis, Zak Crawley and Joe Root combined to stage a superb recovery. They put on a crucial 117-run stand for the third wicket, batting with a mixture of grit and aggression to wrest back some momentum. Crawley, looking to move on from a disappointing first Test, played fluently for 76 before falling to Michael Neser. Starc then returned to dismiss Harry Brook, a wicket that saw him surpass the legendary Wasim Akram to become the most prolific left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket history.
Root's Landmark Ton Amidst a Collapse
While wickets began to tumble at the other end, including a brilliant Josh Inglis run-out to dismiss Ben Stokes, Joe Root stood immovable. He reached a magnificent century, his first in Test matches on Australian soil, demonstrating world-class concentration and technique under immense pressure. His innings was the sole reason England remained competitive as Scott Boland and Starc combined to reduce the tourists to 264/9.
Archer's Blitz Provides Stunning Finale
Just as Australia looked set to bowl England out for under 300, the final wicket pair of Root and Jofra Archer launched a stunning counter-attack. They added a rapid, unbroken 61-run partnership in the evening session, with Archer unleashing a flurry of powerful strokes to finish 32 not out. Their efforts lifted the total to a far more respectable 325/9 at stumps, with Root unbeaten on a heroic 135. Despite the late flourish, Mitchell Starc's outstanding figures of 6/71 ensured the hosts ended the day with the upper hand in a compelling contest.
