Eman 
ZeeaK 
The second Test of the Ashes 2025/26 series at the Gabba concluded its opening day with a fascinating equilibrium. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, England endured a disastrous start but were ultimately carried to a strong total of 325 for 9 by the sheer will and skill of Joe Root, who finally secured his long-awaited Test century in Australia.
Starc’s Unprecedented Pink-Ball Power
The day’s narrative began with Australian veteran seamer Mitchell Starc asserting immediate and record-breaking dominance with the pink ball.
- Early Devastation: Starc struck in the very first over, removing Ben Duckett, and quickly followed up by dismissing Ollie Pope for a duck, leaving England reeling at 7 for 2.
- Record Haul: Starc continued to be the main threat, utilizing his experience under the lights to finish with a sensational haul of 6 wickets for 71 runs. This marks his sixth five-wicket haul in Day-Night Tests—a record no other bowler comes close to matching.
Root’s Resilience and Record Finish
The day pivoted around the middle order’s ability to survive Starc’s threat and capitalize on the true batting surface.
Crawley’s Redemption: Opener Zak Crawley, looking for redemption after his failures in Perth, found rhythm against the pace, combining with Root for a critical 117-run partnership. Crawley scored a fluent 76 before being dismissed by Michael Neser.
The Mid-Innings Wobble: England’s stability dissolved briefly as Harry Brook (31) and Captain Ben Stokes (run out) fell to unforced errors, with the score dropping to 176/3 and eventually 122/7.
The Unbroken Masterpiece: Despite the chaos, Root remained the constant. Shaking off the defensive worries seen in Perth, he drove authoritatively and controlled the gaps, reaching his 14th Test century (135* off 202 balls).
Audacious Finale: In a final act of defiance that surprised Australia, Root was joined by Jofra Archer (32*), and the pair launched an audacious final stand, adding 61 runs off just 44 balls—setting a new record for the highest tenth-wicket partnership in Day-Night Test history.
By crossing the 300-run mark, England sits in a historically advantageous position, as no team has ever lost a Day-Night Test after posting such a high first-innings total.
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Image Credits : CricBuzz
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