Australia has strengthened its hold on the second Ashes Test. In this match being played at Gabba, Australia has scored 378 runs at the loss of 6 wickets by the end of the second day’s play. Australia is currently ahead by 44 runs in the first innings, because England’s first innings was reduced to 334 runs. On the second day, captain Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Jack Weatherald scored half-centuries for the Kangaroo team.
England increased their score to 325/9 on the second day. The English team had added only 9 runs to the scoreboard, then Archer was out after scoring 38 runs. England’s first innings was limited to 334 runs. Joe Root returned unbeaten after scoring 138 runs.
Second test in the hands of Australia
In the absence of Usman Khawaja, Travis Head started the Australian innings along with Jack Weatherald. There was an opening partnership of 77 runs between the two. Head was out after scoring 33 runs, but Weatherald scored 72 runs playing at a strike rate of 92. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith took the lead, but when Labuschagne was out after scoring 65 runs, Australia lost the third wicket at the score of 196.
The England team seemed to be in a comeback mood, but then Smith and Green made a partnership of 95 runs. At one time, Australia had scored 291 runs at the loss of 3 wickets, but meanwhile, Brydon Carse brought England back into the match by taking the wickets of Cameron Green and Steve Smith in the same over. Ben Stokes gave the sixth blow to Australia by clean bowling Josh English.
Now Alex Carey and Michael Neser are becoming a problem for England. Their partnership of 49 runs for the seventh wicket seems to be very heavy for England.
Stokes and Kars got beaten up a lot.
On the second day, England’s bowlers were also beaten badly. Later Stokes bowled well, but at one time his economy rate was touching around 7. Stokes has taken 2 wickets so far, but has given away 93 runs in 17 overs. On the other hand, Brayden Kars has given away 113 runs in 17 overs and has also taken 3 wickets.
