AUS vs ENG 2nd Test: Smith, Labuschagne And Weatherald Hit Fifties As Australia Take Upper Hand With 44-run Lead On Day 2

Ashes 2025-26, Australia vs England 2nd Test Updates: Australia took the upper hand against England on the second day of the second Test, reaching 378/6 in their first innings in 73 overs at The Gabba in Brisbane on Friday, December 5. They have taken a 44-run lead with Alex Carey (46*) and Michael Neser (15*) at the crease.

Australia have now become the team to score the most runs in a day's play in day-night Tests, bettering 348 by England against West Indies on day one of the Edgbaston Test in 2017. Carey and Neser have stitched a 49-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

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Most runs in a day's play in DN Tests

387/7 Aus (378/6) vs Eng (9/1) Brisbane 2025 *

383/8 Aus (287/2) vs Pak (96/6) Adelaide 2019

379/14 Aus (251/9) vs Ind (128/5) Adelaide 2024

369/3 Pak (300/2) vs WI (69/1) Dubai 2016

Having bowled England out for 334, Australia started the second day on a promising note. They had a promising start to their innings as Travis Head and Jake Weatherald stitched a 77-run opening stand. Weatherald, who made his Test debut in the opening game, smashed his maiden fifty and ended up playing a magnificent knock of 72 runs in 78 balls on the back of 12 fours and a six.

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Marnus Labuschagne (65) and skipper Steve Smith (61) also hit crucial fifties, whereas Cameron Green came up with an impactful contribution of 45 runs. For England, Brydon Carse picked up three wickets, whereas skipper Ben Stokes found a couple of scalps.

Earlier in the match, Joe Root hit an impressive century, his maiden Test ton on Australian soil. He played an outstanding knock of unbeaten 138 runs on the back of 15 fours and a six. Mitchell Starc continued his brilliant form and took six wickets in the first innings. He now has 16 wickets to his name in the five-match series so far.

England headed into the match with an aim to produce an improved effort after losing the first match by 8 wickets in just two days in Perth.

Australia vs England 2nd Test Playing XIs, Ashes 2025-26

Australia: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer