England and Australia clashed fiercely in the second Ashes Test at Brisbane’s Gabba on December 4, 2025, under pink-ball lights, with the hosts trailing by 42 runs at 292 for five after 56.4 overs on Day 2. Joe Root‘s gritty 138 anchored England’s first innings total of 334, recovering from an early collapse to 5 for two, setting a challenging platform in this day-night encounter. Brydon Carse‘s three wickets, including a pivotal blow, sparked England’s late fightback as Australia raced at 5.15 runs per over.
Will Jacks pulls off a sensational grab to get Steve Smith out on Day 2
Will Jacks produced a moment of magic on Day 2, diving full length at deep backward square to pouch a one-handed screamer off Carse, dismissing Steven Smith for 61 off 85 balls in the 56.4 over. The short ball cramped Smith, forcing an awkward pull that floated flat towards Jacks, positioned 25 meters from the rope; his acrobatic leap to the right sealed a stunning catch, leaving Australia wobbling at 292 for five just before drinks.
Smith’s knock, featuring five fours and two sixes, had steadied the chase alongside Marnus Labuschagne‘s 65, but Jacks’ athleticism, his first major fielding highlight in Tests since 2022, shifted momentum dramatically in Session 3.
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— j. (@was_jash82) December 5, 2025
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England’s late surge ignites Gabba drama
Australia dominated early on Day 2, surging to 50 in 10 overs through Travis Head‘s 33 and Jake Weatherald‘s explosive 72, reaching 100 by the 17th over with Weatherald’s fifty off 45 balls. Post-lunch, Labuschagne and Smith rebuilt with a 50-run stand, pushing to 200 by the 37th over before Ben Stokes removed Labuschagne, caught behind for 65; Cameron Green‘s brisk 45 then lifted Australia to 250 in 49.3 overs, his 50-run alliance with Smith threatening England’s lead.
The final session turned chaotic as England struck twice in quick succession: Green fell to Carse for 45 at 291 for four, followed immediately by Smith’s end via Jacks’ brilliance, collapsing the innings before drinks with Australia at 292 for five. Carse’s figures read 3 for 97 off 12.4 overs, his short-pitched aggression dismantling the middle order after Jofra Archer‘s earlier lbw of Weatherald.
Also WATCH: Jofra Archer’s brutal toe-crushing yorker sends Jake Weatherald packing on Day 2 of the Pink-Ball Test
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