After the first day of the second Test at the Gabba, one big question was hanging in the air: was England's first-innings total of 334 actually any good? As play got underway, it felt like a day for Australia to cash in, and for a long while, they did exactly that. But what unfolded was a day of brilliant batting, bizarre dismissals, and a reminder that Test cricket can turn on a dime.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Australia finished Day 2 on 378 for 6, securing a 44-run lead over England's 334.
- ✓ Jake Weatherald, in just his second Test, smashed an eye-catching 72 off 78 balls.
- ✓ An "extraordinary over" from Brydon Carse saw the wild dismissal of Cameron Green and a spectacular catch to remove Steven Smith.
- ✓ Australia batted at a blistering run rate of 5.17, their fastest ever in an innings over 60 overs.
- ✓ England's fielding was described as "rubbish" after dropping five catches and conceding 51 boundaries.
Weatherald's Arrival on the Big Stage
While big names like Smith and Labuschagne were on the card, it was the relative newcomer, Jake Weatherald, who truly stole the show. Playing in just his second Test, he didn't just survive against the new pink ball; he dominated. Partnering with Travis Head, he completely took the wind out of England's sails, wrestling back control for Australia almost single-handedly.
His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. He was punchy, compact, and just looked comfortable out there. One over from Gus Atkinson saw him crunch three boundaries—a cover drive, a clip through square leg, and another crisp drive through point. It wasn't long before he brought up his maiden Test fifty off just 45 balls with a swivel-pull to deep square. What a moment for the young man!
Interestingly, Weatherald later mentioned he was just as pleased with the balls he left as the ones he hit. It shows a good head on his shoulders. He eventually fell for a brilliant 72 off 78 balls, pinned lbw by a full one from Jofra Archer that he said "blew my foot off." But the damage was done; he’d set a blistering pace for his team to follow.
An Over of Absolute Madness
Just when Australia looked to be running away with the game at 291 for 3, with Smith and Green looking set, we were treated to one of the most remarkable periods of Test cricket you'll ever see. England's bowler, Brydon Carse, was in the middle of a tough spell. Green had just carved him for two boundaries through an unorthodox off-side field, and Smith had top-edged him for six.
Carse switched ends, and that's when the chaos truly began. After a wide bouncer, he pulled a double-bluff and went full and straight. Cameron Green was already backing away before the ball was even released, ending up so far outside his leg stump he was almost on the next pitch! He threw his bat out in a desperate attempt to reach the ball but missed completely. It was a dismissal that will be replayed for years to come—completely out of character and a huge gift to England.
But the over wasn't finished. First, Alex Carey was dropped in the gully by Ben Duckett. Then, two balls later, Steven Smith went for a pull shot, and Will Jacks at backward square leg pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch. In the space of a few deliveries, England had a way back into the match. It was a wild, unpredictable, and utterly captivating passage of play.
Living by the Sword: Australia's Aggressive Plan
Looking at the Australian scorecard, you might see a day of missed opportunities, with six of the top seven getting out between 23 and 72. But that doesn't tell the whole story. Their overall scoring rate was a mind-boggling 5.17 runs per over. According to the stats, it's the fastest they've ever scored in a Test innings of more than 60 overs. This wasn't an accident; it was a strategy.
Marnus Labuschagne, who himself made a brisk 65, told the broadcaster it wasn't even discussed. He explained, "With [Travis Head] and Weathers at the top they just grabbed the momentum and we piggybacked off that and sort of kept going." It was about seizing the moment and putting relentless pressure on an England team that was already struggling in the field.
Weatherald echoed this sentiment, defending his teammates' aggressive shots. He argued that Australia was only in such a strong position because of the options they took. "You'd probably say that some of the shots were a bit reckless at times, but at the same time, they backed themselves," he said. "As a group, that's what we want to do."
The State of Play and a Look Ahead
Despite that chaotic over, Australia ended the day in control with a lead of 44. However, the game is far from over. As we look towards Day 4, the scorecard might look bleak for England, who are six wickets down and still 43 runs adrift. But here's the thing: sport isn't played on paper. England still has its last recognized batting pair, Ben Stokes and Will Jacks, at the crease.
If they can somehow survive the first two sessions, they could potentially build a lead of over 100. On this pitch, where cracks are opening up rapidly, batting is only going to get tougher. Any target over 100 could prove to be a very tricky chase for the Aussies in the fourth innings. You just never know.
To add another layer of intrigue, there are thundershowers forecast for Sunday, December 7th. If England can show some grit and bat for a long time, they might just force this thrilling encounter into a fifth day. The stage is set for more drama in this incredible Ashes series.
Conclusion
What a rollercoaster of a day. We saw the emergence of a potential new star in Jake Weatherald, an Australian team committed to an ultra-aggressive brand of cricket, and a moment of sheer madness that blew the game wide open again. While Australia holds the advantage, England is still hanging in there, thanks to that one unbelievable over. This Test match is perfectly poised, proving once again why The Ashes is one of the greatest rivalries in all of sport.
