England’s innings resilient on Day 1 of Ashes Match 2 at the Gabba, Brisbane, as Joe Root scored his maiden Test century in Australia. England finished Day 1 on 325 for 9 after batting through 74 overs under challenging conditions with the pink ball. Root remained unbeaten on 135, steering England through phases of the innings and taking the visitors to a strong position on the opening day. Mitchell Starc led Australia’s bowling attack with a six-wicket haul, consistently troubling the England batsmen with swing and pace.
England Builds Solid First Innings
England opted to bat first after winning the toss. Zak Crawley gave a strong start with some boundaries before running into tough spells. Crawley and Root built a 100-run partnership, with Crawley scoring a well-made 69 before his dismissal. Root remained composed through the innings, converting his starts to reach a century for the first time in Australia on his fourth Ashes tour.
Ben Stokes and Root were at the crease as the evening progressed. Stokes contributed vital runs but was run out later in the innings, adding to England’s challenges. England’s tail-end resilience, particularly an unbroken 10th-wicket partnership with Archer and Root, added 61 crucial runs to push the innings past 300 runs.
Joe Root’s first century in England
Starc’s Impactful Bowling
Mitchell Starc delivered a disciplined bowling spell, picking up six wickets while utilising the swinging pink ball effectively. He generated sharp movement with regular probing deliveries that tested the English batsmen’s techniques. Starc induced key dismissals including early wickets that unsettled England’s top order, yet Root stood firm to hold the innings together.
Steve Smith’s captaincy saw tactical bowling changes with Michael Neser and Scott Boland introduced to support Starc. Neser bowled economically but did not claim wickets on Day 1. Boland’s introduction added variation, aiding pressure on England towards the latter part of the day.
Wasim Akram congratulates Mitchell Starc on becoming the most prolific left-arm quick in Test history 👏 pic.twitter.com/1ECTIK3Pno
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 4, 2025
Conditions at the Gabba
The Day-Night Test played under lights at the Gabba offered testing conditions favouring bowlers with the pink ball moving both ways. Australian bowlers exploited the seam-friendly surface and twilight conditions, making batting difficult outside the top order.
Australia’s bowlers maintained tight lines, challenging England’s middle and lower order. The atmosphere inside the stadium contributed to an intense cricketing contest, reflecting the historic rivalry’s spirit. The crowd witnessed a competitive start to this second Test after Australia’s first-match victory in Perth.
Key Statistics from Day 1
- England scored 325/9 in 74 overs
- Joe Root unbeaten on 135 runs
- Zak Crawley top-scored with 69 runs
- Mitchell Starc took 6 wickets
- Ben Stokes contributed with both bat and ball, including a notable run out
This first day’s performances laid a solid platform for England while exposing their vulnerability against Starc’s bowling. Australia’s strong bowling attack kept the pressure alive.
Outlook for Day 2
Australia will aim to bowl England out quickly on Day 2 and build a lead before their second innings. England’s batsmen have shown resilience, but they will need to negotiate a challenging bowling attack for better advantage as the Test progresses.
The contest remains poised, with the pitch and conditions favouring bowlers early on but gradually easing for batsmen. Root’s innings has proven crucial to England’s stance, providing them with a foothold in this important Ashes encounter at the Gabba.
The day ended with expectations of thrilling cricket ahead as the series rivalry intensifies in the second Test of the 2025/26 Ashes series between Australia and England. The balance between bat and ball will continue to shape the narrative of this historic rivalry.
