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Ashes Battle at the Gabba: How Australia's Batting Trio Seized Early Lead

It was a day of aggressive batting and missed opportunities at the Gabba. Australia's top order, led by Jake Weatherald's blistering knock, capitalized on England's wayward bowling. Despite half-centuries from Labuschagne and Smith, England fought back late with quick wickets. The match is now perfectly poised with Australia holding a slender 44-run lead heading into day three.

Key Points: Weatherald Labuschagne Smith Fifties Give Australia Ashes Test Lead

  • Jake Weatherald scored a rapid 72 from 78 balls for his maiden Test fifty
  • Marnus Labuschagne looked in control for his 65 before edging Ben Stokes
  • Steve Smith accelerated sharply to 61 in a 95-run partnership with Cameron Green
  • Alex Carey and Michael Neser added an unbroken 49-run stand despite dropped chances
3 min read

Ashes 2025-26: Weatherald, Labuschagne, Smith fifties help Australia take early lead in 2nd Test

Australia leads by 44 runs after fifties from Weatherald, Labuschagne, and Smith in a frenetic day of Ashes cricket at the Gabba. England fights back late.

"Australia's batters made full use of England's inconsistent bowling before a late fightback under lights kept the second Test in the balance at the Gabba."

Brisbane, Dec 5

Australia's batters made full use of England's inconsistent bowling before a late fightback under lights kept the second Test in the balance at the Gabba. By stumps, Australia were 378/6, holding a 44-run lead after a frenetic day in which three home batters – Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith – made half-centuries.

England began the day by adding 70 for the tenth wicket as Joe Root (138 not out) and Jofra Archer (38) extended their stand. Archer's innings ended when he flicked Brendan Doggett to deep backward square, where Marnus Labuschagne completed a diving catch. England were all out for 334.

In reply, Australia initially started slowly before Weatherald (72) shifted the momentum. The left-hander struck a flurry of boundaries, including three in one over off Gus Atkinson, and added 77 in just 10 overs with Travis Head.

England dropped Head early, and he went on to make 39 before Brydon Carse removed him.

Weatherald continued scoring freely, reaching his maiden Test fifty from 45 balls with nine fours and a six, but his innings ended on 72 from 78 balls when a yorker from Archer struck his right big toe.

Labuschagne, back at No.3, looked in control from early on. He played confidently through the on side and square of the wicket, moving at a brisk fifty and guiding Australia to 130/1 at tea. He was eventually out for 65 from 77 balls, edging an attempted cut off Stokes to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.

Steve Smith then took charge of the innings, batting fluently with Cameron Green. Smith survived an early blow on the forearm from Carse but accelerated sharply, moving from 36 to 50 in eight balls.

He struck Archer and Atkinson repeatedly behind the point, including an upper-cut six. The Smith and Green partnership reached 95 before Green, on 45, was bowled by Carse after backing away to target the off side. Smith fell three balls later for 61, caught spectacularly by Will Jacks at backward square.

Alex Carey (46 not out) and Michael Neser (15 not out) steadied Australia late in the day. Both benefited from dropped chances--Neser on 6 and Carey on 25--as they added an important unbroken stand of 49 to push Australia past England's total and into the lead.

With Australia 378/6 and holding a 44-run advantage, the match remains finely poised heading into day three.

Brief scores:

England 333 all out in 76.2 overs (Joe Root 138 not out, Jofra Archer 38; Mitchell Starc 6-75, Michael Neser 1-43) trail Australia 378/6 in 73 overs (Jake Weatherald 72, Marnus Labuschagne 65; Brydon Carse 3-113, Ben Stokes 2-93) by 44 runs

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Root's 138* was a masterclass in batting with the tail. Shame the bowlers couldn't back it up. The Ashes is always such a great contest to watch from here in India. Hoping for another tight day tomorrow! 🏏
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Rohit P
Australia's batting depth is seriously impressive. Even after Smith and Green fell, Carey and Neser built a partnership. England's bowling looks a bit toothless without a genuine spinner in these conditions. Carse tried hard but the support wasn't there.
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Priya S
As an Indian fan, it's fun to watch two other teams battle it out! 😄 But seriously, the standard of fielding from England was poor. Catches win matches, yaar. Australia will likely build a big lead now.
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Michael C
The game is perfectly set up. A lead of 44 with 4 wickets in hand. If Australia can get another 100, it will be very difficult for England. Smith's innings was crucial in shifting the momentum after Labuschagne fell.
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Kavya N
Weatherald's dismissal was so unlucky! A yorker on the toe. That's cricket. But he played a brilliant knock. It's interesting to compare this pitch to the ones we get in India. The bounce and carry at the Gabba is something else.
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