The second Ashes Test at Brisbane's Gabba is exquisitely balanced after a dramatic opening day where England, powered by a heroic century from Joe Root, recovered from a disastrous start to post 325 for nine at stumps.
Early Carnage as Starc Strikes
Having won the toss and elected to bat, England's innings began in nightmare fashion. Australia's left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc was immediately lethal, removing openers Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope in quick succession. The visitors found themselves reeling at two wickets down for just five runs, a dire situation compounded by their one-nil series deficit and the Gabba's fearsome reputation.
Out strode former captain Joe Root in just the fifth over, facing a monumental salvage operation. With his team still smarting from a heavy defeat in Perth, the pressure on the 34-year-old was immense, not least due to his previous lack of a Test hundred on Australian soil.
Root's Resilience Forges a Landmark Innings
Displaying immense concentration and skill, Root methodically rebuilt the innings alongside Zak Crawley, who contributed a fluent 76 from 93 balls. Root's mastery eventually saw him reach a monumental personal milestone: a maiden Test century in Australia. This was his 40th Test hundred worldwide, a landmark achieved in his 159th match.
Despite further wickets falling—including a brilliant run-out of Ben Stokes by wicketkeeper Josh Inglis and a six-wicket haul for Starc—Root stood firm. The day took another twist in the final hour when, at 264 for nine, England launched a stunning counter-attack.
Late-Order Assault Stuns Australia
Joined by the aggressive Jofra Archer, who smashed 32 from just 26 deliveries, Root switched gears. The pair added an unbroken fifty-run partnership, brutally exposing Australia's controversial selection decision to drop premier spinner Nathan Lyon for a fifth seamer in Michael Neser.
Their late flurry of runs pushed England's total to a far more competitive 325 for nine by the close, with Root finishing the day unbeaten on 135 from 202 balls. This partnership will resume on day two, leaving the match fascinatingly poised and Australia ruing missed opportunities.
The stage is now set for a crucial second day's play in Brisbane, with England having fought back from the brink to seize a fragile ascendancy in this pivotal Ashes contest.
