The Ashes 2nd Test LIVE: Australia vs England, free streams, Day 2 updates from The Gabba
Joe Root nets a magical century on Day 1 of The 2nd Ashes Test
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The 2nd Ashes Test is here, and after two weeks of mulling over a disastrous defeat, England will be looking to hit back in Brisbane.
The Gabba hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Poms, with just four wins at the ground in their history and none since 1986. Can Mitchell Starc wreak havoc on their batting line-up once again?
You can stream the 2nd Ashes Test live for free on 7Plus, and watch from anywhere in the world by using NordVPN.
Watching The Ashes 2nd Test Essentials
- Start Time: Thursday, 4 December — 2 p.m. AWST / 4 a.m. GMT / 11 p.m. ET (Wed.)
- Free Stream: 7Plus (AUS)
- UK Stream: TNT Sports
- US Stream: Willow TV
- Our full Ashes streaming guide
Welcome to the 2nd Ashes Test! Can England hit back?
Welcome to our live coverage of the Ashes 2nd Test between Australia and England.
Blink and the first Test was over, so we will be hoping for a bit more cricket this time around as England look to hit back against Australia. A magical knock from Travis Head took the game away from the Poms in Perth, with their batting frailties in Australia once again on show.
Ben Stokes will be hoping that the two weeks away have given his side time to refresh as they look to win a first Test in Oz since 2011.
Welcome to Brisbane!
Coverage of Test 2 is now live directly from Brisbane’s Gabba Stadium!
While it may have been a humiliating defeat for the English side, will they have learnt from their mistakes or will Australia dominate on their home turf?
Keep tuned to find out…
What is the ‘Gabbatoir’?
You’ll hear people talk about the Gabba, that’s the gladiatorial stadium located in Brisbane where England and Australia will fight to the (metaphorical) death in Test 2.
On top of that you’ll hear people refer to it as ‘the Gabbatoir’, an amalgamation of the words ‘Gabba’ and ‘abattoir’. This is because the England team have not won in Brisbane since 1986.
Yep, they’re really implying it will be a slaughterhouse for the visiting team!
England win the toss!
We know how well that went for them last time but let’s see if this gamble pays off in Brisbane.
A historical crushing defeat
Although it’s been well documented it’s worth reiterating that the bloodbath at Perth was the first time in 104 years that an Ashes Test lasted only two days.
That’s not the kind of century record you want.
The pre-match ceremony begins
Australia’s important Welcome to Country followed by the national anthems take place.
Who will have the upper hand?
The first ball…is out
Wonder kid (or man, given his older age among the team) Starc bowls to Crawley…and the ball is out.
0-0.
The first wicket!
Within five minutes he has already claimed his first wicket and Duckett is out. Doesn’t bode well for England but a sign of Starc in his element.
1-5.
Brutal media coverage for England
Mitchell Johnson, former Aussie bowler, dubbed England ‘arrogant’ which led the front pages in a lot of Australian publications.
That’s not even touching on the English media, who famously love to turn on their own as quickly as they love to build them up. ‘Baz balls up’, ‘I can’t take stupid England seriously’, ‘Outfought, outthought, outclassed’.
Brutal.
English nerves are settled
Despite losing two wickets in quick succession, England’s nerves seem to be settled.
They’ve found their rhythm with batters Crawley and Root. Will this see a level of consistency?
2-31.
Tea break pep talk?
It’s early days yet for test two, but England must be happy they haven’t conceded any more wickets in a stadium haunted by the ghosts of previous losses.
As we head into the next half what will await both teams?
Root-ing for England
The ball comes off the end of his bat and within reaching distance of a batter’s hand.
A lucky escape however.
Third time’s the charm!
It’s a great wicket and may give Australia some wind in their sails after England have been on top for so long.
3-122.
3-150.
It’s worth just acknowledging that this is a very strong start for England’s second test.
Particularly when you consider they’re playing in the Gabbatoir.
An average of 50 runs per wicket is strong stuff and if they keep it up that would see them to 500. Wishful thinking maybe.
3-150.
What is the pink ball?
Another reason to worry: Mitchell Starc is considered the king of the pink ball. On stunning form in Perth, he may be looking to outdo himself in the Gabbatoir...
Australia smelt victory…but false alarm
Centimetres up and they’d have claimed another wicket but a very good umpire call shattered that dream, even after a tense review.
Back to the drawing board, lads.
3-174.
Time for dinner and dishing out some inspiration
Mainly, why has it taken so long to get England’s wickets?
Will a bite of dinner and some morale boosting turn things around for Aus?
Night approaches, as does Starc
There’s certainly been a lot of hype about Starc’s ability with the pink ball under the floodlights…can he live up to it though?
The celebrated bowler - and elder statesman - of the Aussie team played a blinder in Perth but now it’s his time to shine again.
Both sides wait with baited breath to see if he can deliver the goods.
Stay with us as we resume after dinner.
England rooting for Root
With nearly 75 runs to his name, Root has been England's strongest batter on day one.
He had a close call with a potential LBW but the review determined no foul play.
Will Australia be able to call on Starc to summon his powers of the night and get him out?
Keep tuned into 7Plus - or you can use NordVPN outside of Australia - to not miss a second of the action.
Recap: two wickets in four balls!
And no sooner has his replacement Jamie Smith stepped up, he finds himself bowled for a two-ball duck.
An eventful few minutes for Australia. They smell blood.
6-125.
Root just 12 away from a century
Root is on the verge of a century and boy does he looks dangerous.
You can see the Aussie team racking their brains trying to figure out his weakness but he's been solid as a rock during his hours defending those wickets.
Could he join Head in the century club this Ashes?
Drink break to refresh strategy
Definitely not as much pizazz as Head scoring a century in an insane amount of time with a swagger, but in his cool collected way Root is appraoching similar territory.
6-240.
A Centurion arises!
It's 50/50 who can end this first day called the better team. Both have had their moments.
7-260.
...And a ninth!
Carse says hello and then says goodbye within the same breath, to paraphrase a Beatles song.
9-264.
Root: the MVP
Despite two quick wickets from Australia, don't let that wipe the achievement of Joe Root from your mind.
Let us not forget he was essentially written off as a joke in the Australian media in the run up to this year's Ashes, in no small part for never achieving a century down under, but now he is victorious.
The media will surely turn on their heels and give you your flowers, Joe Root.
9-126.
Looking for chinks in their armour
Archer and Root have managed to hit wherever the fielders are not.
Sounds simple, but through this trick they've managed to rack up an impressive amount of runs.
At this rate England will finish today batting and start tomorrow in the same position...unless Australia have something up their sleeve.
Play finished for day one!
There were some flurries of genius from Australia - one wicket often accompanied in quick succession by another - but not enough to take England off the green.
325-9.
Photo of the day: the catch
This will be the image burnt into everyone's retinas today.
Alex Carey and Marnus Labuschagne. Eyes both in the sky and not looking at each other. Nearly fully taking each other out but Carey securing a glove around the ball.
A little sheepish look at each other as they realise the luck and skill that saw them secure another wicket.
What to watch and listen to tomorrow
In the UK? You're in luck! Join the BBC’s iconic Test Match Special (TMS) which will be broadcasting ball-by-ball coverage of every match. Find out more about it in our handy guide here.
In a photo: mixed emotions as play ends
See you tomorrow for another action-packed day!
After nine hours of covering day one, I'm as knackered as Joe Root scoring his first century on Australian soil!
Jokes aside, it's been an absolute pleasure covering this first day of test two. I hope to see you all tomorrow for what promises to be an unpredictable and thrilling next chapter of this showdown between two mighty nations.
Remember to watch along on 7Plus in Australia or for those outside the country you can use NordVPN.
I've been Dan, and I'll see you tomorrow.
Welcome back to the Gabba!
Make sure you tune in to 7Plus in Australia, or for those outside the country you can use NordVPN.
A recap of England's performance yesterday
There were a lot of ducks - when the batter is out on zero runs - but it didn't matter because England had Joe Root.
Root finished yesterday on 135 but he certainly isn't finished today.
Alongside Archer, they found a rhythm and held Australia at bay for that last wicket. How much longer will that last though?
Australia's omissions
An audacious move from the Aussies or a glaring omission?
In the words of Jason Bateman's sports commentator from the endlessly quotable film Dodgeball: "It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for 'em."
Average Joe? No!
A lot of the headlines have focused on Joe Root, and rightly so.
The Aussies must be feeling a bit sheepish now, having even dubbed him 'Average Joe' apparently, but he has had the last laugh.
How many more runs can he get before Australia secure their final wicket?
Australia's prodigal son returns
There he is. Head has returned.
There's the form that England have been dreading. A six and some lovely fours have been played in quick succession.
Can Stokes work some of his bowling magic from test one?
0-57.
Finding England's weaknesses
England may be getting a taste of their own medicine if things continue like they are.
0-74.
A turning point?
Could this be the turning point England need?
Not only is it one wicket under the belt to get the ball rolling (no pun intended) but they managed to neutralise their biggest threat. A morale booster for sure but will that translate into results...we'll find out soon.
1-84.
Cracks showing in England team
Stokes is getting frustrated.
It could be that Brissy heat, it could be the Australian defiant batting or it could be his own team's lack of drive.
Whatever it is, they need a cool head to prevail and seize a chance when they're given it.
1-121.
Back from tea
One team you can imagine who didn’t will be England. They’ve got nine wickets left to capture. Sure, compared to how they were on test one day two this is a good position but still not ideal.
Can they defy the odds and seize victory in the Gabba?
1-131.
There’s the second wicket!
Just as you think you know what’s happening, Archer bowls a blinder. It’s LBW for Weatherald after a sterling run for Australia.
Securing 72, he must be gutted he didn’t make a century. To replace him acting captain Steve Smith.
2-146.
180 runs separating them
Australia trail by 180 runs, it’s a very achievable feat to beat England’s first offering…
…We may just see it by the end of today if England are still struggling with the wickets.
This is looking like it’ll at least last longer than two days.
Fans with day three and four tickets will be rubbing their hands with glee.
2-154.
A well needed break
Australia have risen to the challenge of England’s day one batting and are looking lethal.
You can’t help but feel that it will just take the right rhythm to get them back on their feet.
Time will tell.
2-155.
Night approaches…
The shadows are rising on the green which can only mean one thing…night play is around the corner.
Technically this is where Australia excel - particularly Starc bowling - but it’ll be interesting to see how England deals with it.
2-174.
Archer stumped
Looks like England could do with a shake up.
New bowlers? New strategy? New day?
Any of the above might help them at this point.
A third wicket...one hour later
Textbook.
65 is nothing to be sniffed at, and Labuschagne was a great duo alongside Steve Smith but all things must pass.
3-196.
200!
That's the exciting thing about these games, it could honestly go either way. England seem to have found some form but Australia has the momentum...who will come away today the stronger side?
3-200.
Read, watch and hear the Ashes at once!
For the local poms, join the BBC’s iconic Test Match Special (TMS) which will be broadcasting ball-by-ball coverage of every match. Find out more about it in our handy guide here.
Stokes, leading from the front
While not as prolific as he was in Perth, Stokes has reminded everyone why he is the England captain.
Yes, he can be prone to passionate outbursts but you sense that he's always trying to think ahead and probe any weaknesses that the Aussies show (admittedly not many).
Will he activate his inner Starc when night falls and guide that pink ball into a few wickets? Honestly, your guess is as good as mine at this point.
3-209.
Just shy of 100 runs Australia trailing by
As we head into break now, we'll see how this develops very soon. Talk to you then.
3-228.
Nearly at 250 and no signs of stopping
Maybe this will all change with a flurry of activity. Maybe I'll become pope one day. Anything's possible.
3-247.
Photo of the day: Head dive
While things are chugging along on the green, it feels like a good time to do the photo of the day.
It's got to be what I've christened this shot 'Head dive'. Look at the way he absolutely throws his body into the game.
He truly is one of the greats.
What's gone wrong...or what's gone right?
What's gone on? It's the most cliche phrase, but there will definitely be some 'soul searching' tonight for sure.
3-290.
Fourth and fifth wicket!
And...
An absolutely wicked catch from Jacks sees Steve Smith out. An almost impossible position as he curls his body around to catch it coming off Smith's bat.
I'm gonna post this now in case they get a sixth wicket...I can't keep up!
5-292.
Duckett let off the hook
Who had England getting two wickets before Australia reached 300 runs on theit card? I certainly didn't!
5-292.
Not to be outdone, the Aussie fans are also going for it...
A sixth (and nearly seventh) wicket!
A decisive way to send off John Inglis!
After a tense review it looks for a moment like Stokes may have claimed a seventh too, however Neser lives to tell the tale.
6-333.
No centuries today
Energy levels are definitely flagging but that's to be expected after eight hours of play. Will we see another flurry of activity before play ends?
6-346.
End of play!
As soon as I wrote that last post, of course, that's when play ends.
Well, if England were the better team yesterday it only seems fair that Australia claim the high ground today.
However, despite that, if this day is remembered for something it will be Will Jacks' insane catch getting out Steve Smith. Even he doesn't seem to believe what he's done! I definitely jumped the gun early calling Head's dive as the photo of the day.
We end the day on 378-6.
Thanks for joining us!
Again thanks for joining us for this coverage, and make sure to keep following tomorrow for all the action at the Gabba...who knows which way it'll go.
If you're based in Australia, tune in to 7Plus and for those outside Aus check out NordVPN to unlock every minute of the action.
All Brits can join the BBC’s iconic Test Match Special (TMS) which will be broadcasting ball-by-ball coverage of every match. Find out more about it in our handy guide here.
I appreciate you staying with me, I've been Dan and speak to you again soon.
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