Overview
- England were all out for 334 early on day two, with Joe Root carrying his bat for his first Test century in Australia and Jofra Archer last man out for 38 after a 70-run tenth-wicket stand.
- Australia surged to 378-6 by stumps for a 44-run advantage, led by Jake Weatherald’s brisk start, Marnus Labuschagne’s 65 and Steve Smith’s 61, with Alex Carey 46*.
- Mitchell Starc completed a six-wicket haul and moved past Wasim Akram to become the most prolific left-arm fast bowler in Test history.
- England’s attack lacked consistency for long stretches and several catches went down before a late fightback saw Brydon Carse remove Cameron Green and Smith in the same over, Jofra Archer trap Weatherald lbw and Ben Stokes nick off Labuschagne.
- Selection and conditions shaped the contest, with Australia omitting Pat Cummins and leaving out Nathan Lyon for an all-pace attack, and post-play debate focusing on pink-ball tactics and whether England should have declared late on day one.