Jake Weatherald showcased an aggressive start in Australia’s innings, scoring his first Test half-century. At the close of the first session on Day 2, the hosts were 130-1, responding to England’s 334 in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.
Early Partnerships
Weatherald, dismissed for a duck on debut in Perth last month, remained unbeaten on 59. He shared vital partnerships of 77 runs with Travis Head, who scored 33, and 53 runs with Marnus Labuschagne. The Australian pair maintained a rapid scoring rate, allowing their team to gain momentum early.
Session Highlights
Only two wickets fell during the first session—one for each team—under warm, sunny conditions in the day-night match. England resumed at 325-9 and added nine runs before the final wicket fell. Joe Root, unbeaten on 138, had reached his first Ashes century in Australia.
Weatherald, aged 31, reached his fifty from 45 balls, striking nine boundaries and a six with precise cuts and uppercuts. Head, reprieved after a dropped catch from wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, added 30 quick runs, complementing Weatherald’s confident start.
Labuschagne followed Head at the crease, hitting 27 off 29 balls. Australia scored at an impressive run-rate of 6.19 across 21 overs, demonstrating a counterattacking approach.
England’s First Innings Recap
England’s innings lasted 76.2 overs. Star batter Joe Root posted 138 runs from 206 balls. He shared crucial stands of 117 with Zac Crawley (76), 54 with Harry Brook (31), and a 70-run last-wicket partnership with Jofra Archer. Archer scored 38 from 36 balls, marking his career-highest Test score. Mitchell Starc took 6-75, increasing his series tally to 16 wickets.
Afternoon to Evening Transition
As the pink ball challenges batsmen under fading sunlight and stadium lights, England’s bowlers could attempt to curb Australia’s high scoring rate. The day-night format adds a strategic layer to both teams’ approaches, especially in the second Test of this Ashes series.
Australia’s strong opening session, led by Weatherald, sets up a competitive reply to England’s first innings total. Both teams will need tactical adjustments to navigate the evening session and continue the contest.
