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The day-night Test began under warm Brisbane skies with England facing early trouble at 5 for 2 after Australian spearhead Mitchell Starc delivered a masterclass in pink-ball bowling. The left-arm quick struck with lethal precision in his opening spell, claiming both Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope without either batsman troubling the scorers.
Duckett departed for a first-ball duck, caught at ankle height by Marnus Labuschagne at slip, marking Starc's remarkable consistency in striking early. The veteran pacer's dominance with the pink ball was on full display as he ripped through England's top order with surgical precision.
Pope's dismissal followed swiftly, as he chopped on a wide delivery to leave England rocking at 5-2. The tourists appeared to be heading toward another collapse similar to their eight-wicket defeat in Perth.
Under immense pressure following a disastrous performance in the series opener where he bagged a pair of ducks, Zak Crawley scored 61 runs off 80 balls to lead England's spirited recovery. The tall opener displayed tremendous mental fortitude, refusing to let his Perth nightmare define this innings.
Crawley's approach was characteristically positive despite the precarious situation. His cover-driving proved particularly effective against Australia's all-pace attack, as he utilized his height advantage to get forward confidently to the quicks. He raised his bat for a half-century with a quick single to mid-wicket off Starc just before tea, acknowledging the vocal support from England's Barmy Army contingent in the stands.
The opener's innings wasn't without its moments of fortune. He survived a potential caught-and-bowled chance when he drove uppishly past Starc – a dismissal eerily similar to how the Australian dismissed him in Perth. Scott Boland also missed a sharp return catch opportunity as Crawley grew in confidence.
Alongside Crawley, veteran batsman Joe Root remained unbeaten on 32 from 60 deliveries, continuing his quest for a maiden Test century on Australian soil. The former England captain, now playing his 30th Test innings in Australia, looked composed after surviving an early scare when Steve Smith fumbled a diving chance in the slips that would have dismissed Root on two.
The partnership between Crawley and Root proved crucial for England's fortunes. The 93-run third-wicket partnership backed Ben Stokes' decision to bat first for the second time in the series, giving the visitors genuine hope of posting a competitive first-innings total.
After Starc's early fireworks, the Gabba pitch began to settle, offering less movement and bounce as the pink ball lost its initial shine. The pitch settled down and suited England's attacking mindset, with Crawley and Root keeping the run-rate above 4 per over.
The warm, sunny conditions at the start of play provided ideal circumstances for fast bowling, with Australia's five-man pace attack generating early movement off the seam and extracting extra bounce from the surface. However, as the session progressed, England's batsmen found their rhythm against an attack that appeared to run out of ideas.
In a controversial team selection, Australia opted to field five specialist pace bowlers, with Michael Neser recalled for his first Test since 2022. The most contentious decision saw Nathan Lyon omitted from the playing eleven – only the second time the veteran spinner has been left out on home soil since his 2011 debut.
The absence of Lyon means Australia must rely on part-time spin options like Travis Head or Steve Smith to provide relief for their pace quartet in the hot Brisbane conditions. This strategy appeared risky as Starc, Neser, Scott Boland, and Brendan Doggett struggled to break through once the Crawley-Root partnership took hold.
Cameron Green was introduced into the attack within the first session as Australia desperately searched for a breakthrough, with Crawley greeting him with a boundary slapped down the ground in the final over before tea.
England arrived in Brisbane with their Ashes hopes hanging by a thread after the comprehensive defeat in Perth. The visitors are attempting to achieve something they haven't managed in over 35 years – securing a Test victory at the Gabba, a venue that has proven to be a fortress for Australian cricket.
With Australia seeking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead, every session carries enormous significance for both teams. The day-night format adds another layer of complexity, with batting under lights against the pink ball traditionally proving challenging for visiting teams.
Starc's wicket of Pope carried special significance beyond the immediate context of the match. With that dismissal, the left-arm quick equaled Pakistan legend Wasim Akram's record as the most prolific Test wicket-taker among left-arm fast bowlers, with both now standing at 414 Test scalps.
His mastery of the pink ball remains unparalleled – before this match, Starc had claimed 81 wickets in just 14 day-night Tests at an average of 17.08, including five five-wicket hauls. His ability to extract early wickets with the new pink ball has become a trademark, and he continued that trend by dismissing Duckett in his opening over.
As play resumes after tea, Crawley and Root will be determined to convert this promising start into substantial scores. England needs a big first-innings total to put pressure back on Australia and keep their Ashes hopes alive.
For Australia, breaking this partnership quickly will be crucial to capitalizing on Starc's early breakthroughs. The hosts will be hoping their decision to go with an all-pace attack pays dividends as the match progresses and the pink ball becomes older.
Both teams wore black armbands during the day's play as a mark of respect for former England batsman Robin Smith, who passed away earlier this week in Perth.
The stage is set for an enthralling contest as England fights to stay relevant in the series while Australia seeks to press home their advantage and move one step closer to reclaiming the Ashes.
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