AUS vs ENG Live Score, Day 2 Ashes 2nd Test: Joe Root finally broke one of Test cricket’s most watched hurdles, smashing his maiden century in Australia and lifting England from disaster to respectability on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba. Root arrived at 5/2 after Mitchell Starc tore through the top order and responded with a commanding unbeaten 135 to guide England to 325/9 at stumps.
On his fourth Ashes tour, the 34-year-old silenced critics who claimed he could not join cricket’s elite without a hundred Down Under. Zak Crawley backed him up with a gutsy 76 in the 117-run stand and later called Root “the best player I’ve ever played with or against”.
But the day also belonged to Mitchell Starc, who took 6-71 to overtake Pakistan legend Wasim Akram to become the most prolific left-arm fast bowler in Test history with 418 wickets. Starc humbly replied, “Wasim is still the pinnacle,” even after breaking the record. His two early strikes – Ben Duckett for a golden duck and Ollie Pope bowling – gave Australia a dream start under lights.
The late fireworks came from No. 11 Jofra Archer, who smashed 32 off 26 balls, including two towering sixes, to create a new England record 10th-wicket partnership at the Gabba with Root.
In a shock move, Australia dropped Nathan Lyon’s spinner for seamer Michael Neser, their first home Test without a front-line spinner in almost 14 years. England’s subdued approach after their collapse in Perth helped them survive the evening session, leaving the contest delicately prepared.
