TNT Sports
Australia v England recap – Joe Root reaches landmark century as England end day one on 325-9 under the lights in second Ashes Test at the Gabba
By
Updated 04/12/2025 at 12:06 GMT
Re-live the live coverage of Day 1 of the second Test of the NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes, where England aimed to make a bright start at the Gabba and begin their push to level the series. The tourists fell to an eight-wicket defeat in the opener after Travis Head hit the second-fastest Ashes century of all time. Watch every ball of the Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Root finally ends hoodoo with first century Down Under
Video credit: TNT Sports
Root and Starc star on breathless first day
Joe Root and Mitchell Starc lit up Brisbane on a tantalising first day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.
Having won the toss and opted to bat, England slid to 5-2 as the dangerous Starc removed both Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks inside the first three overs of the day’s play.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-8703997e-354d-49c3-b6cf-90520df15f5f-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Starc at the double as Pope dismissed for duck
Video credit: TNT Sports
But England rebuilt through Zak Crawley (76 from 93) and Joe Root, with the latter surviving right through the rest of the day as the sun set in Brisbane, reaching his century in the final session to end that long wait for a hundred down under.
Root’s phenomenal 135* was the centre-point of an England innings that looked to be in a spot of bother when Harry Brook (31 from 33) edged behind just as the lights began to kick into action.
And England’s rebuild once again came unstuck when Ben Stokes ran himself out after grinding to 19 from 49 balls, with Jamie Smith cleaned up by a peach of a delivery just three balls later from Scott Boland.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-5485c60a-c4c2-4deb-b792-70ad61ae468a-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Calamity' for England as Stokes is run out by Inglis
Video credit: TNT Sports
Starc took his series tally up to 16 wickets with the dismissals of Will Jacks (19), Gus Atkinson (4) and Brydon Carse (0) in the final session to end his day with figures of 6-71.
But it was England who finished the opening day on top, as they resisted the urge to declare for a short spell under the lights, instead allowing Jofra Archer and Root to let fly with a phenomenal display of hitting in the final half hour, with the tenth-wicket pair adding 61 runs from just 44 balls to boost the total up to 325-9.
And that final-wicket partnership means that Australia’s five-man pace attack will be forced to come back out again in the field at the start of day two. It promises to be a decisive day in this series, so make sure to tune in on TNT Sports 1, with play due to start at 4am GMT.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The day that Joe Root ended his Australian hoodoo
One of the only remaining gaps on Joe Root’s CV was the absence of a century in an away Ashes Test, but his long wait for a ton down under is now over after a phenomenal innings on day one at the Gabba.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-52dbf9a0-9e30-4d63-a9d5-cf1de2c4be60-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Root finally ends hoodoo with first century Down Under
Video credit: TNT Sports
England's greatest ever batter will go down in history as one of the best, if not the best, of all time, and could yet overtake Sachin Tendulkar as the leading runscorer in the history of the game. But his lack of a hundred in Australia had dominated much of the build-up to the series.
Root came to the crease with the ball just three overs old and with the score at 5-2, but played beautifully to help England rebuild, putting on a 117-run partnership with Zak Crawley for the third wicket and stabilising the England innings with the series effectively on the line.
Wickets tumbled in clusters around him on a thrilling first day, with Australia probing away throughout with their five-man pace attack, with Starc particularly dangerous, taking 6-71.
But for all of Starc’s heroics with the ball, this was Joe Root’s day, and he reached his hundred with a clip to the rope at fine leg, celebrating in a manner that showed just how much this milestone meant to him.
STUMPS: England 325-9 (Root 135, Archer 32) Overs: 74
Archer straight-bats the final two balls of the day and England’s final-wicket pair will come back out to the middle at the start of day two.
Joe Root receives handshakes from the umpires and the Australian team as he departs the field on a historic day for England’s greatest ever batter.
England 322-9 (Root 133, Archer 31) Overs: 73
The approach from England has notably changed, with that all-out aggression put on the back burner. That’s because the timings mean Australia would not have to bat tonight should a wicket fall, so the best-case scenario for England would be to make it through to the close and force the hosts to bowl again first thing tomorrow.
Starc bowls what could be his final over of the day, with his figures reading 6-71.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-c4089f43-b327-46e8-aeb2-261dc68dc6f9-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Finn explains why Starc is 'so dangerous' with pink ball
Video credit: TNT Sports
England 316-9 (Root 129, Archer 29) Overs: 72
The runs continue to flow and Joe Root gets in on the act, playing some sort of reverse swipe that goes all the way for six over the man at deep third. What a silly shot, and that’s the fifty stand between Root and Archer.
Bashir comes out with a drink at the end of the over, presumably accompanied by a message that says the option of a decent spell for bowling under the lights has now gone, so England’s mission in this period of play has changed.
England 307-9 (Root 122, Archer 27) Overs: 71
Boom! Archer goes big again, launching Starc back down the ground for a maximum!
An inside edge brings Root on strike and he brings up the 300 for England with a drive back down the ground that races away for four more. What incredible acceleration from England!
Pretty much all of the fielders are back on the rope, so a mishit from Archer drops safe in the acres of space in the infield. He races back for two more.
15 runs come from Starc’s over and this final-wicket partnership are rattling up the score – they’ve added 43 from just 26 balls. It’s the right approach too, taking big risks knowing that they would have had a go with the ball under lights were it not to have paid off.
England 292-9 (Root 117, Archer 17) Overs: 70
After a long old pause between overs, Boland drops it short and Archer booms one into the stands. With England deciding not to declare to maximise the time under lights, they’ll want to get some big runs, and that’s what Archer’s doing.
He goes for the same shot again, skying one, and the ball drops between Labuschagne and Carey. That seemed like a genuine attempt to take the catch, nothing nefarious there.
Archer follows it up with a scythe into the off side. He doesn’t tend to stick around long, but has shown plenty of times in white ball cricket that he’s a dangerous hitter, and shows that again with another big hit into the leg side. This time it’s a one-bounce four and the England fans are loving it.
Root gets in on the action with a four to end the over. 19 runs came off that one.
Stokes is standing ready on the boundary, but with the runs flowing and time running out, is the declaration worth it? England think not, and they’re probably right.
England 273-9 (Root 113, Archer 2) Overs: 69
Those instructions for Root were clear – take as many risks as you like, just score quickly from here. The rest of the England team are all prepped and ready to field.
Root starts Starc’s over with an audacious attempted ramp that he clips into the ring. Archer follows it up with a nice-looking drive that earns him a single.
Australia call for a helmet for the close fielder and make about 11 fielding adjustments as the clock ticks down. Boos come from the England fans in the stands. It’s cynical, but most teams would do the same. It’s worth noting that the over rate today is pretty shocking.
England 269-9 (Root 111, Archer 0) Overs: 68
This is a fascinating period now. Australia want Archer on strike, but also won’t be that annoyed if England’s innings limps on for a while to soak up some of the time. In fact, Smith is clearly stalling through this Boland over – Australia do not want to spend too much time with the bat in hand under the lights.
Root cuts Boland away for four more and then flicks it fine to give Archer a couple to face, which he does, safely. Carey drops back as the field closes in, with Australia again eating up some time. Steve Finn on commentary calls for the umpires to have a word – "it’s obvious" he says.
Instructions come out to the middle for England at the end of the over.
DOUBLE WICKET OVER! England 264-9 (Root 106, Archer 0) Overs: 67
Gus Atkinson, c †Carey b Starc, 4 (3)
Brydon Carse, c †Carey b Starc, 0 (2)
Atkinson looks to flick one away, but it takes a thick edge and Carey runs back to take a brilliant diving catch, keeping full focus on it despite the best efforts of Labuschagne, who also ran back and dived for it.
The television umpire checks that it was a clean catch and then has a look to see whether it hit the spidercam cables, given it went so high, but it’s good on both counts and that’s a fifth wicket for Starc.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-d43b87c7-1c5c-493c-9770-ce0039b4f26b-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Carey takes 'amazing catch' after ball almost hits Spidercam
Video credit: TNT Sports
And he bags a sixth soon after as Carse nibbles at one and edges behind. England’s innings is rushing to a close.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-93f0efe5-67f5-45cb-9aa6-654cd8a6145f-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Carse out for duck as Starc takes sixth wicket
Video credit: TNT Sports
It’s brilliant from Starc again, who has 16 wickets in the series already and we’ve only had three days of play!
CENTURY! History for Joe Root
England 260-7 (Root 106, Atkinson 0) Overs: 66
Boland nips one back into Root and it cannons into the pad and up onto the glove, looping up into the air. It’s agonising for Carey, who is up to the stumps now off Boland too, but can’t get there. Carey follows it up with magnificent glove work to hold on to a bumper – that is so hard to do stood up to the stumps.
But the moment comes that England have been waiting for, as Joe Root clips one fine and it runs away to the rope to bring up the century in Australia that he has so desperately craved. What a magnificent achievement!
Root finally ends hoodoo with first century Down Under
Video credit: TNT Sports
"He is England’s greatest ever and he is going to be the greatest ever, in my book. What an outstanding player," says Matt Prior on TNT Sports.
With the pressure lifted he ends the over with another boundary, greeted with huge cheers from the England fans.
WICKET! England 250-7 (Root 98, Atkinson 0) Overs: 65
Will Jacks, c Smith b Starc, 19 (31)
Starc comes back into the attack for Australia and Root leans back to knock him away for a single and move to 98 not out. You can feel the tension building around the Gabba.
Oof. Starc leaves one out there to tempt Jacks, and the all-rounder has a real go at it. And Starc follows it up with another tempter, this time finding the edge of Jacks and getting the breakthrough. It's a bad shot, reaching for it. Can England just leave those alone please!
England 250-6 (Root 97, Jacks 19) Overs: 64
Cameron Green continues and a single from Jacks gets Root back on strike with two deliveries of the over remaining.
Green probes outside off and Root almost dangles at it.
There’s a nervy moment at the end of the over as Root touches it away for a single and looks to come back for two, before being sent back by Jacks. If the ball had gone to the bowler’s end he might have been in trouble you know.
England 248-6 (Root 96, Jacks 18) Overs: 63
Doggett continues after drinks and Jacks latches on to a short one and pulls it away for four. Whether his spin is going to be valuable in this game or not remains to be seen, but Jacks is showing that he really is a proper batter.
Root’s eyes light up as Doggett sends one down leg side and the England man turns and pulls it fine to the rope.
And Root follows it up with four more flicked into the leg side, taking him to 96...
England 235-6 (Root 88, Jacks 13) Overs: 62
Lovely bowling from Cameron Green as he has Root feeling for it in the corridor of uncertainty. It’s an excellent line from the big Aussie and a few signs of vulnerability from England’s main man.
It’s a maiden for Green and that’ll be drinks.
England 235-6 (Root 88, Jacks 13) Overs: 61
Root rocks back and guides Doggett away for a hard-run three, and it’s a no-ball too for overstepping.
Jacks leans into one that angles into his stumps and sends it running away to the rope through mid-on.
England 227-6 (Root 85, Jacks 9) Overs: 60
It’s Cameron Green back into the attack, and Jacks hits his stride with a lovely cover drive that beats the fielder to the rope. It’s an expensive over in all, with nine runs from it.
England are ticking over again after those quickfire wickets, but it doesn’t feel as comfortable as when Stokes and Root were building their partnership… and surely it can’t be long before Starc gets another go with the pink ball under the lights?
Finn explains why Starc is 'so dangerous' with pink ball
Video credit: TNT Sports
England 218-6 (Root 82, Jacks 3) Overs: 59
Jacks is settling out there, clipping the ball into the leg side again to pick up two more runs, this time off Neser.
Cricviz are reporting that the ball that Jamie Smith received second up from Boland was the most-likely wicket-taking delivery of the series so far, so, unlike some of his teammates, there’s not much Smith could have done.
England 216-6 (Root 82, Jacks 1) Overs: 58
Jacks, playing his first Test in two years, gets off the mark with a clip into the leg side off the final ball of Boland’s over.
The all-rounder was picked, presumably, because of his ability to add depth to the batting at number eight. But this is a very tricky period to bat and doesn’t enormously lend itself to his counter-attacking style. No pressure then!
England 215-6 (Root 82, Jacks 0) Overs: 57
Root leans back and guides Doggett away for four runs. That’s the classiest of shots and gives England fans something to cheer after what has been a grim few minutes.
WICKET! England 211-6 (Root 78, Jacks 0) Overs: 56
Jamie Smith, b Boland, 0 (2)
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-f4a68a14-3bbe-491a-8d84-ab2a7ccc04a4-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Smith goes for duck as Australia turn the screw
Video credit: TNT Sports
Brilliant from Boland as he nips one through the gate and rattles Smith’s stumps as England lose a second wicket in quick succession.
Will Jacks is in and this game has taken a sharp turn in momentum in what feels like the blink of an eye.
Tune in now on TNT Sports 1:
WICKET! England 210-5 (Root 77) Overs: 55
Ben Stokes, run out Inglis, 19 (49)
'Calamity' for England as Stokes is run out by Inglis
Video credit: TNT Sports
There’s a change in the attack, with Doggett handed the pink ball… and England suffer a massive calamity. He knocks the ball into the ring and sets off for a run, but it’s an optimistic single at best and Root turns it down. Stokes turns quickly, but Inglis is rapid in the field and throws down the stumps with a stunning direct hit!
The England captain throws up his arms in despair and is annoyed with Root, but I don’t think he’s got a huge case. Inglis is mobbed by his teammates and Australia have the breakthrough that they’ve been desperately craving.
England 210-4 (Root 77, Stokes 19) Overs: 54
Glorious from Joe Root! Boland is one ball away from a maiden, but overpitches his final delivery and Root leans into a drive that races back down the ground and away for four runs. Effortlessly sublime batting.
England 206-4 (Root 73, Stokes 19) Overs: 53
Neser continues, with Carey standing up, and it’s a maiden. Stokes is really digging in at the moment, trying to get through this dangerous period when so many wickets typically fall in pink-ball matches.
If you missed it earlier on, Harry Brook’s dismissal in the afternoon session, just as the natural light was fading away, came in for plenty of criticism. Here’s how TNT’s pundits saw it:
England 206-4 (Root 73, Stokes 19) Overs: 52
Starc only got a short spell after the interval, which will be a relief for this pair, who have seen it through nicely. It’s Boland who comes back into the attack.
Root comes down the track and doesn’t make contact, and Boland is very interested as the ball crashes into his pads. Smith likes it too and reviews… and the impact is miles outside off. That’s a honking review from the Australian stand-in skipper and a second review out of three available lost by Australia. Poor captaincy.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England 204-4 (Root 71, Stokes 19) Overs: 51
Very tight line from Neser, who is a very popular bowler in Australia and the sort of player who would have a lot more caps to his name in a different era.
Root darts through for a quick single to end the over.
England 203-4 (Root 70, Stokes 19) Overs: 50
Vintage Stokes as he unfurls a beauty of an off drive, sending Starc to the rope off the first ball of the over.
Those are the only runs of the over, but are enough to take England past 200 and with the platform that they would have been crying out for with the bat in hand on this first day.
It’s a vital period now though, with the lights on and Australia’s tails up.
England 199-4 (Root 70, Stokes 15) Overs: 49
It’s Neser who takes the ball from the other end under lights, and two singles come from his over.
The keeper is up to the stumps still, off Neser.
England 197-4 (Root 69, Stokes 14) Overs: 48
Here we go then, the evening has set in, the lights are blaring down, and Starc has the ball in his hands. This is what all the talk has been about in the run-up to this Test.
It’s a very tidy over indeed, with just the one single off it, but there’s frustration for Australia as they try (again) to get the ball changed and get short shrift from the umpire.
The score at the interval: England 196-4 after Root and Crawley 50s
Half-centuries from Zak Crawley and Joe Root, who remains unbeaten on 68, helped England rally from a disastrous start to reach the second interval of the second Ashes Test on 196-4.
Ben Duckett was out for a golden duck in the first over, edging Mitchell Starc to the slips, and Ollie Pope also fell without scoring in the third, chopping onto his own stumps.
That left England 5-2, after Ben Stokes had won the toss and chosen to bat first in the pink-ball Test.
Starc at the double as Pope dismissed for duck
Video credit: TNT Sports
It could have been worse, with Root dropped by a diving Steve Smith in the same over Pope fell to Starc, but the tourists rallied admirably after that scare.
Crawley unfurled several of the drives he is renowned for and played with authority off his pads, bringing up a half-century from 68 balls and responding to his first-Test pair in style. Yet he fell in a frustrating fashion for 76, edging an innocuous Michael Neser delivery behind.
Root passed 50 with Harry Brook at the crease, but the former's innings of 31 lasted only 33 balls; he fell trying to emphatically drive the first Starc delivery he faced following Australia's talisman's return to the attack.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-c997eca7-e6da-4283-bd45-345e03080320-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Root halfway towards elusive first century in Australia
Video credit: TNT Sports
Stokes and Root navigated gloomy conditions to reach the second interval four wickets down, with Root 32 runs away from what would be a maiden Test hundred in Australia.
While England's team for the match was already known, Australia made two changes, bringing Josh Inglis in for the injured Usman Khawaja and picking Neser over Nathan Lyon, who misses a home Test for the first time since 2012.
How's stat?
Both sessions have seen England score 98 runs for the loss of two wickets.
Root the 'crucial man' - Cook
"Zak Crawley bounced back from his pair and played a brilliant innings, he'll be disappointed tnot to go on," Alastair Cook says on the TBT Sports coverage, looking back at that session.
"The crucuial man is Joe Root. He is the glue, he is the key to England getting above a competitive score; 68 not out. In partnership with Ben Stokes, they have played a vital role after losing Harry Brook with Starc coming back."
England 196-4 (Root 68, Stokes 14) Overs: 47
Stokes defends the first ball of the Neser over, after which Carey moves up to the stumps.
Neser gets one to nibble past the outside edge, without catching it, and otherwise Stokes leaves well, including a short ball Carey does very well to take given where he was stood.
That will take us to the interval. England 196-4, with Root now 32 runs away from a maiden century in Australia.
England 196-4 (Root 68, Stokes 14) Overs: 46
Root stands across his stumps and prods onto the leg side for an easy single, before Stokes scuffs a cover drive into a similar part of the outfield to also add one run.
Another Starc over safely negotiated, even after he changes to round to wicket to present a new angle to Root.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England 194-4 (Root 67, Stokes 13) Overs: 45
Stokes shows off a solid defence and England take one run off the Neser over, via a wide, until there's a scare off the last ball.
It kicks up, catches Stokes' top edge and loops up, but lands safely, before any fielder can make up the ground.
"I don't think the ball has done a huge amount," Alastair Cook says on the TNT Sports coverage.
"It's done a little bit more since these lights have come on, but it's certainly not unplayable by any stretch of the imagination."
And now Australia are asking for a ball change. Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before...
England 193-4 (Root 67, Stokes 13) Overs: 44
Two more singles for England, but more importantly, another Starc over seen off.
There are around 10 minutes left to play in this session, so Starc may only have one more to come. Neser is coming into the attack at the other end.
Brook's dismissal, playing an attacking shot to the second ball of Starc's return under lights, has received good reviews as you can see above and came not long after an attempted scoop which left Matt Prior "about to spontaneously combust" on the TNT Sports coverage, as you can see below.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-3119247e-5611-4f36-a458-f97019dafe2b-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Prior 'about to spontaneously combust' as Brook almost throws wicket away
Video credit: TNT Sports
England 191-4 (Root 66, Stokes 12) Overs: 43
Australia try for a third time to change the ball, but again the umpires are unmoved.
Boland continues, keeps it tight to Root and then finds the outside edge of Stokes' bat, but luckily for England it sails between third slip and gully.
Stokes clips off his legs for the same result, four runs, next delivery.
On top of Strac's landmark when, Smith is now third on the all-time Test catches list, with 206, after snaffling Brook. Root leads the way on 213.
England 182-4 (Root 65, Stokes 4) Overs: 42
Root plays a couple of very nice drives for no run, but finally gets a delivery on his legs to close the over and can flick it away for a single.
Every Starc over without a wicket feels like a mini England victory.
England 181-4 (Root 64, Stokes 4) Overs: 41
Boland keeps it tight and England score just one run from the over, though Stokes leaves the ball well.
Starc is raring to go at the other end.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England 180-4 (Root 62, Stokes 4) Overs: 40
Stokes is off the mark with a thick edge through the slip cordon.
Starc has got Stokes out 11 times in Tests, for an average of only 17.3, and that was his 415th wicket in Test cricket. It's a new record for a left-arm seamer, overtaking Wasim Akram.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-62e5b93d-2fc1-434d-86d4-9f9922aef009-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Starc takes third wicket as Brook falls for 31
Video credit: TNT Sports
WICKET! England 176-4 (Root 62, Stokes 0) Overs: 39.2
Brook 31, c Smith b Starc
Starc takes third wicket as Brook falls for 31
Video credit: TNT Sports
Starc strikes again!
Brook throws his hands at a wide half-volley and edges straight to Smith at second slip, who catches at the second attempt.
England 175-3 (Root 62, Brook 31) Overs: 39
Boland gets Root jumping, wraps the batter on the pads and launches into a big appeal. Not out says the umpire, but Smith reviews straight away.
Ball tracking backs up the umpire and keeps Root in. The ball was bouncing over.
A routine clip of the legs from Root and a flamboyant drive to the boundary fielder for one from Brook had earlier kept the score ticking over.
It's getting darker in Brisbane, with the sun no longer visible from the playing area. The batting conditions are unlikely to get any easier from here until the end of the day, you suspect, and Starc about about to return to the attack.
England 172-3 (Root 61, Brook 30) Overs: 38
Brook gets on top of one short ball and pulls for a couple, then gives himself room – too much room – and is frustrated as another one whizzes past down the off side.
The Yorkshireman finishes the over with a crunching square drive which races to the boundary. Green continues to be expensive and the partnership is now 50.
England 166-3 (Root 61, Brook 24) Overs: 37
A maiden over! Just the second of the day.
Boland produces it with a tight line and Root lets the last ball of it go through to the wicketkeeper.
England 166-3 (Root 61, Brook 24) Overs: 36
Green returns to the attack and is promptly cut late by Root, guiding the ball to third for a couple.
A glorious straight drive follows, for four, and a full toss is pushed into the covers for three.
Nine runs off the over, Green has an economy rate of 6.50, and it's time for drinks.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England 157-3 (Root 52, Brook 24) Overs: 35
Brook drives after a wide delivery and does not get all of it, but picks up a couple. He has definitely calmed down after that scooping near-miss.
As well as being Root's 10th half-century in Australia, it is his 106th time passing 50 in Test cricket. Only Sachin Tendulkar, with 119, has done that more often.
Root halfway towards elusive first century in Australia
Video credit: TNT Sports
England 154-3 (Root 51, Brook 22) Overs: 34
Neser continues and England score just two singles off the over. This partnership is now worth 32 runs, from 37 balls.
England 152-3 (Root 50, Brook 21) Overs: 33
The 50 is up for Joe Root! A pull to square leg does it, with Labuschagne unable to prevent a single.
"Outstanding batting," says Matt Prior on TNT Sports.
"So much conversation about him scoring runs and looking for this hundred in Australia, well he's very, very well set now... He's seeing this ball very, very big."
Australia, meanwhile, are not happy with the ball. Doggett is bowling, but Boland takes the ball to the umpire to inspect. It passes through the rings and Australia are told to get on with it.
England 147-3 (Root 48, Brook 18) Overs: 32
Neser strikes Root on the pads and there's a decent appeal, but the bowler tells Smith it's going down leg and not to review. Good call, ball tracking says it was missing the stumps.
Root flicks the final delivery of the over through mid-on for four runs. It's overpitched and gets what it deserves, also serving to release the pressure. There has still only been one maiden bowled today.
England 143-3 (Root 44, Brook 18) Overs: 31
No scooping this over, as Brook and Root rotate the strike via more orthodox batting.
"Maybe that was the scare that Brook needed to knuckle down and make the most of this fantastic opportunity," says Steven Finn on TNT Sports. His fellow commentator Matt Prior is still steaming over the attempted scoop.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England 139-3 (Root 42, Brook 16) Overs: 30
It's rarely quiet with Brook at the crease...
One delivery after charging down the wicket and smashing low, through the covers for four, Brook attempts a scoop, misses the ball and Carey thinks he has stumped the batter!
The third umpire is called to adjudicate and finds that Brook got his foot down, just about. He was all the way out of the crease at one point and it was a close-tun thing. Matt Prior is not amused on the TNT Sports coverage.
"What is that shot, I just can't get my head around this," says Prior.
"I'm a dinosaur now, fine, but this is Test cricket, this is the Ashes... you have to take responsibility."
England 133-3 (Root 41, Brook 11) Overs: 29
The good news for England is that Brook has started well, with two fours off of Doggett's bowling. One carved behind square on the off side, one masterfully deflected off his hip.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-e11d8598-5149-4e31-8831-6322509824e0-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Crawley out for 76 as Neser takes big wicket after tea
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports experts lament Crawley dismissal
"Unfortunately, all too inevitable," is the verdict of Matt Prior on TNT Sports, reacting to that Crawley dismissal.
"It's just a nothing wicket... Pope, poor shot, and that from Crawley [the same] – when you are in you have to take responsibility." Only Duckett was out to a good ball, Prior believes.
Alastair Cook agrees. "Soft dismissal... Australia have burgled one. England needed him to go on."
WICKET! England 122-3 (Root 41, Brook 0) Overs: 28
Crawley 76, c Carey b Neser
Just when it was looking good for England...
Crawley tickles a short ball from Neser behind – an underside edge off a pull shot so thin it still carries to the wicketkeeper – and Australia have a much-needed wicket.
Harry Brook is off the mark first ball, pulling for a single.
England rally in Brisbane as Crawley shines
England have recovered from the loss of two early wickets to pass 120 for the loss of only those two wickets, with Zak Crawley leading the charge via an unbeaten 76 in Brisbane.
Ben Duckett was out for a golden duck in the first over, edging Mitchell Starc to the slips, and Ollie Pope also fell without scoring in the third, chopping onto his own stumps.That left England 5-2, after Ben Stokes had won the toss and chosen to bat first in the pink-ball Test.
It could have been worse, with Joe Root dropped by a diving Steve Smith in the same over Pope fell to Starc, but the tourists rallied admirably after that scare.
Crawley unfurled several of the drives he is renowned for and played with authority off his pads, bringing up a half-century from 68 balls and responding to his first-Test pair in the perfect manner.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-aa36f050-46ac-421d-8b43-78a7fe64f317-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Crawley bounces back with half-century
Video credit: TNT Sports
The unbeaten partnership of 116 between Root and Crawley is already England's biggest of the series.
While England's team was already known, Australia made two changes, bringing Josh Inglis in for the injured Usman Khawaja and picking Michael Neser over Nathan Lyon, who misses a home Test for the first time since 2012.
Captain Pat Cummins did not make the 11, so Steve Smith remains in charge and said Cummins was "close" to being selected for this match.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England 121-2 (Crawley 76, Root 40) Overs: 27
England keep the singles coming, before Doggett finds the glove of Root with a good bumper.
Fortunately for England, Root gets enough on it to beat Carey and pick up four more.
England 113-2 (Crawley 74, Root 34) Overs: 26
It's Neser, not Starc, bowling at the other end. Carey is up to the stumps so it's unlikely he'll be bowling short.
Crawley on-drives through Root's legs for another boundary either side of a couple of singles and England avoid the dreaded Nelson number.
England are wearing black armbands in memory of the late Robin Smith, and two former team-mates of 'The Judge' paid tribute to Smith on TNT Sports at tea.
England 107-2 (Crawley 69, Root 33) Overs: 25
The field would suggest Australia are going to bowl short after tea and Doggett does just that.
Root pulls the first ball for a single, Crawley tries the same from a delivery which isn't quite as short and is perhaps lucky not to play on, the ball jammed between bat and thigh pad.
A leave later, Crawley pulls to the boundary with authority and brings up the England hundred.
Warm applause greets the milestone and they're clapping again shortly after as Crawley drives through the covers for four more. That's the hundred partnership up between these two as well.
What total should England be aiming for?
"Well, 700-2 maybe," jokes Steven Finn on TNT Sports.
"If you look too far ahead in this situation – I think maybe they did that in Perth – if you think that far ahead, you're in big trouble," he cautions.
"If you don't negotiate this next half an hour when Starc is going to come out here and bowl with a newish pink ball, then you're playing the game wrong. So England have to manage this first half an hour, then make hay."
The score at tea: England 98-2 after counter-attack
England recovered from the loss of two early wickets to reach the extended tea break on 94-2, with Zak Crawley leading the charge via an unbeaten 61.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-a5961ee1-9b9d-415b-9642-29be4ca7d61c-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Crawley's perfect response to pair with early boundary
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ben Duckett was out for a golden duck in the first over, edging Mitchell Starc to the slips, and Ollie Pope also fell without scoring in the third, chopping onto his own stumps.
That left England 5-2, having won the toss and chosen to bat.
It could have been worse, with Joe Root dropped by a diving Steve Smith in the same over Pope fell to Starc, but the tourists rallied admirably after that scare.
Crawley unfurled several of the drives he is renowned for and played with authority off his pads, bringing up a half-century from 68 balls and responding to his first-Test pair in the perfect manner.
Alongside Crawley, Root had 32 to his name, with their partnership now worth 93 runs.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Cook hails 'good morning session' for rallying England
"We thought 'here we go again' after 2.5 overs, but Crawley and Root have played exceptionally well," says Alastair Cook on the TNT Sports broadcast. England fans who were awake for Starc's early wickets can certainly relate.
"Duckett got a good ball, Pope played a poor shot. Finny mentioned farming, making hay while the sun shines. Well they've started.
"It's been a good morning session under a huge amount of pressure. England have started well."
Crawley bounces back with half-century
Video credit: TNT Sports
England 98-2 (Crawley 61, Root 32) Overs: 24
Green has the last over of the session and Crawley is watchful to start, before dispatching an on-drive straight, along the floor and to the boundary.
Those four runs are all that come from the over and England will end the first session of the day on 98-2, after a fine rally from Root and Crawley.
Time for the extended tea break.
England 94-2 (Crawley 57, Root 32) Overs: 23
Starc has a chance to show off his athleticism, diving after a Crawley punch which is just beyond his reach but also bounced twice before arriving at the bowler.
There's more excitement as Carey appeals behind the stumps after Root plays and misses – it would appear – at a delivery down the leg side. Replays confirm it clipped his thigh pad only, hence the noise, and the decision not to review is a good one.
There will likely be just one more over before lunch, or the extended tea break if you prefer.
England 93-2 (Crawley 56, Root 32) Overs: 22
Green strays onto the pads of Crawley and he happily helps the ball on its way to the fine-leg boundary.
That four is the highlight of another solid over for the tourists, who are now scoring at 4.22 runs an over.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England 86-2 (Crawley 50, Root 31) Overs: 21
Crawley reaches a really good half-century in the 21st over, pushing Starc off his legs and into the on side for a single.
Coming off 68 balls, this is a fine response in the face of pressure – both on the team within this Test match, and personally after a pair in Perth.
England 84-2 (Crawley 49, Root 30) Overs: 20
Green is into the attack. He has dismissed Crawley three times in Test cricket, at a sub-11 average.
A short delivery can't ruffle Crawley, then a full one on leg stump is flicked away to the boundary, with a little help in the form of sloppy fielding from the sliding Doggett. Crawley is now just one run shy of a half-century.
Root, meanwhile, is 70 runs shy from ensuring Matthew Hayden – above – can keep his clothes on this Australian summer.
England 77-2 (Crawley 44, Root 29) Overs: 19
Starc returns to the attack having claimed both wickets earlier, including the 26th time he has struck in the first over of a Test innings.
Root gest behind the ball well a couple of times, leaves a wide one and then drives gently for a single.
Crawley has two balls to face, leaves the first and then clips the second off his pads for a single.
England 76-2 (Crawley 43, Root 28) Overs: 18
Crawley plays an uppish drive in the direction of Boland, but just beyond the bowler's grasp and Crawley picks up four runs.
Boland responds by presenting the ball to the umpires and asking for an inspection, but it passes through the rings and we will carry on with the same equipment.
England 71-2 (Crawley 39, Root 27) Overs: 17
Root takes on a Doggett short ball and helps it to a pretty square fine leg for a single. It's the only run off the over.
England 70-2 (Crawley 39, Root 26) Overs: 16
Root punches back past Boland and to the boundary. Two balls later, he drops and runs to rotate the strike. Root at his best.
There's almost a play and miss from Crawley – we will perhaps charitably say he withdrew the bat just in time – then groans as Crawley backs away with Boland running in for the last ball of the over. Groans at the person causing a distraction rather than any gamesmanship.
Boland teases out another play and miss once that ball is bowled, but Crawley was well inside the line.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England 64-2 (Crawley 39, Root 21) Overs: 15
Doggett hits Root on the pads and the Australians halfheartedly appeal, but umpire Sharfuddoula is unmoved and there is no review.
Just one run in the over, for the second straight over.
England 64-2 (Crawley 39, Root 20) Overs: 14
Tighter from Boland, and his persistence draws a wild play and miss from Crawley to close the over.
A wide, given for a delivery which was too short, is the only run of the over. There has only been one maiden so far, which was bowled by Neser.
England 63-2 (Crawley 39, Root 20) Overs: 13
Doggett has the first over after drinks and concedes only five runs, so slightly better from his point of view, but it is again not particularly probing.
Root cuts one wide delivery to point for no run – it deserved to go – another is well down the leg side and Root drives on an occasion when Doggett misses his length to pick up three.
The non-Starc division of Ausralia's attack is letting down the strike bowler right now. And their captain's absence, perhaps for the first time this series, is being felt.
England 58-2 (Crawley 37, Root 17) Overs: 12
Brilliant batting from Root.
Just a few deliveries after digging out a surprise Boland yorker, Root drives him back down the ground for four. It may well be the shot of the day so far.
Time for drinks, and a welcome chance for everyone to grab their breath.
England 51-2 (Crawley 36, Root 11) Overs: 11
Brendan Doggett comes into the attack in place of Starc, so Crawley has – for now – seen him off.
Root cuts for three and Crawley drives for three, taking England to their half-century, a nice milestone for this pair who have re-built well in the face of early pressure.
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England 45-2 (Crawley 33, Root 8) Overs: 10
The Australians go up after Crawley attempts a whip through mid-wicket, the ball hits his pads and is caught by Carey. Did Crawley get an edge?
The ultimate decision is not to review and it's a good one – no bat involved, the shot so wild the bat wasn't even that close. He was well outside leg stump, no LBW was out of the question.
England 43-2 (Crawley 32, Root 7) Overs: 9
The Starc-Crawley duel is back; Crawley is back driving.
He sends the first one in the air, but comfortably safe, into the covers for a couple.
Starc goes short, too short, next ball and England get four byes as it comfortably clears Carey. That it does so and a wide is not given is testament to the bounce in this pitch.
After that, Starc is back full again, Crawley drives again, this time back past Starc for four. It looks brilliant when it's not caught and the bowler's flailing arm was not particularly close to the ball on this occasion.
England 32-2 (Crawley 24, Root 7) Overs: 8
Neser is removed from the attack after three overs and Boland has the pink ball in-hand.
Root defends three of the first four balls, ultimately getting off strike via a thick inside edge. Crawley watches one ball, then pushes into the off side for a single.
Whisper it, but these two have weathered the new-ball storm pretty well over the last few overs.
England 30-2 (Crawley 24, Root 6) Overs: 7
Starc gives Crawley width and he cannot help himself. It's a loose drive, but Crawley gets enough of a thick edge to send the ball flying over the slips and pick up a couple. They end up being the only runs of the over.
England 28-2 (Crawley 22, Root 6) Overs: 6
Crawley clips off his pads for a couple and drives onto the on side for three as Neser continues at the other end. Root dutifully defends the two balls he faces.
Crawley has a run-a-ball 22, while Starc looks decidedly more dangerous than Neser thus far.
Starc at the double as Pope dismissed for duck
Video credit: TNT Sports
Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+
Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
England 23-2 (Crawley 17, Root 6) Overs: 5
Crawley takes a single off the first ball of the next Starc over and gets to the non-striker's end, the safest place to be.
Root faces the next five without scoring. It's the most uneventful over the day so far. Touch wood, from an England perspective, that that's not a jinx.
England 22-2 (Crawley 16, Root 6) Overs: 4
Crawley hits Neser to the boundary twice. Once off his pads, once crashes through the covers as the bowler overpitches.
But England cannot have nice things, it seems. Crawley plays and misses to the first ball after the second of those fours and Australia have a small discussion about a review, but decide not to. It may or may not be a good decision as there's the smallest of spikes on the snickometer. Vary hard to tell whether that would have been overturned as the on-field decision was not out.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-e65def89-20fc-4d09-b0e0-443446090c45-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Another nightmare start as Starc strikes in first over again
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wicket! England 11-2 (Crawley 5, Root 6) Overs: 3
Pope 0, b Starc
Starc strikes again and it's another horrible start for England! Pope, yet to score a run, looks to run the ball behind square on the off side and instead chops onto his own stumps.
In comes Root, who clips away for a couple off the first ball he faces but is then almost out himself, edging a delivery which squares him up. Smith dives, can't hold the catch and England get four.
England 5-1 (Crawley 5, Pope 0) Overs: 2
Neser gets the ball and Crawley watchfully sees off his over. Three leaves, two solid defensive shots and then a less convincing play and miss to end the over on a somewhat ominous note.
Wicket! England 5-1 (Crawley 5) Overs: 1
Duckett 0, c Labuschagne b Starc, 0
It's another terrible start for England!
After Crawley appeared to have seen off the first Starc over, Duckett wafts at a wide delivery and edges to first slip. Disaster.
Time for the first ball
How are your nerves, Zak Crawley? Mitchell Starc has a pink ball in his hands and will bowl the first over. Crawley is on strike...
A moment of silence is held in memory of a Robin Smith
The teams are out on the grass. Before the national anthems, there is a moment of silence in memory of Robin Smith, 'The Judge' the former England and Hampshire batter who sadly passed away this week aged 62.
It will be followed by a welcome to country and the two national anthems.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/04/image-d77c4d9a-dcb6-4c1d-9ba4-312103803b2f-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
England win toss at Gabba as Stokes opts to bat first
Video credit: TNT Sports
Australia make two changes, just the one for England
As well as Josh Inglis replacing the injured Usman Khawaja in the Australia side, Michael Neser is in for Nathan Lyon. So no spinner for the hosts.
"Pink ball, we think it's going to offer quite a bit, particularly later on under lights," explains Smith. Cummins was "close" to a return but Australia are exercising caution, he adds. Inglis will bat in the middle order, so Travis Head opens.
Here are the teams in full.
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett , Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer.
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 win the toss and will bat first
Good morning, early birds! You are very welcome to live coverage of the second Ashes Test from the Gabba, where Ben Stokes and Steve Smith have just walked out for the toss.
Firstly, that confirms Pat Cummins is not playing for Australia. Secondly, Stokes calls tails correctly and elects to bat.
"I'm not too sure to be honest," Stokes says when asked about the wicket. "You never really know until you get out there and see a bit of cricket being played on it. So look, we've got an opportunity to go out there and put some runs on the board first up."
He concedes it is the biggest week of his captaincy, while Smith says he too would have batted.
The Ashes resumes
Here we go.
After England's demoralising two-day defeat in Perth in the opening Test, the NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes series rolls on to Brisbane.
You can watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
- - -
Watch every ball of the Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement