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Joe Root achieved a significant milestone by scoring his first century in Australia during the thrilling opening day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. After being dropped early on, Root capitalized on the opportunity, reaching 135 not out and helping England to a total of 325 for nine. His innings included an entertaining final-wicket partnership of 61 runs with Jofra Archer, injecting late momentum into the innings. England, who won the toss and batted first, experienced early troubles but managed to recover thanks to Root’s resilient performance.
Mitchell Starc once again proved to be a formidable opponent for England, claiming six wickets for 71 runs. The Australian left-armer had an electrifying start by taking two early wickets within his first nine deliveries, setting the tone for a challenging day for the visitors. Notably, Australia’s decision to play without captain Pat Cummins and veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon—who was omitted from a home Test side for the first time since 2012—resulted in one of their most inexperienced bowling attacks in years. Despite the flat pitch and winning the toss, England frequently appeared under pressure, a reflection of the high stakes tied to the fixture.
England’s innings saw some valuable contributions beyond Root’s standout effort. Zak Crawley, the opener, produced a vital innings of 76 after recovering from his struggles in the previous Test, while Harry Brook added 31 runs before being dismissed. The middle and lower order, however, faced difficulties, with Ben Stokes falling after a run-out incident and Jamie Smith dismissed without scoring. The top-order shakiness and a few loose shots from players such as Brook, Jacks, and Ollie Pope invited pressure from the Australian bowlers. Root’s steadfast approach and ability to adapt to the day’s conditions contrasted sharply with these miscues and ultimately prevented England from collapsing.
Starc’s influence on the match extended beyond his bowling figures. With 87 wickets in day-night Tests across 15 matches, he remains one of the most dangerous bowlers in this format. His persistent threat was reminiscent of the destructive spell of Mitchell Johnson during the 2013-14 Ashes series. His early strikes and ability to maintain pressure helped Australia stay competitive despite lacking Nathan Lyon’s control and variation. Adding to the excitement, Alex Carey’s sharp wicketkeeping and fielding excellence, including a crucial direct hit run-out and several spectacular saves, gave Australia significant support in the fielding department. Thanks largely to Root’s heroics and some gritty batting, England enter the match with a renewed sense of hope for the Ashes series
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