Watch: Marnus Labuschagne’s one-handed catch dismisses Jofra Archer during 2nd D/N Ashes 2025/26 Test

Australia bowled only 74 overs on the opening day of the second day-night Ashes 2025/26 Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. They needed to dismiss the England side under 80 overs to dodge the over-rate penalty. Jofra Archer and Joe Root’s record partnership for the tenth wicket seemed to take the game away from the home side. 

Jofra Archer looked in fabulous yet aggressive mode with the bat in hand. He leaned forward for a sweet drive through the covers for a boundary against Mitchell Starc. It was a great shot played with a brilliant high-elbow that went much squarer than the cover. Australia looked a bit stunned. They needed something special, and Marnus Labuschagne provided them with the same.

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Archer pulled the short ball from Brendan Doggett into the deep backward square leg, where Labuschagne went with two hands and managed to pluck it just inches off the ground with his right hand to dismiss the right-handed batter for 38 runs as the visitors were dismissed for 334 runs in the first innings.

Watch: Marnus Labuschagne shows great fielding to dismiss Jofra Archer during Ashes 2025/26 Test

England’s 334 runs became the second-highest score against Australia in the history of the day-night Test, just behind the 450 by Pakistan at the same ground in 2016. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 138 runs, having celebrated his maiden Test century down under. It also became the highest individual score by any batter against the Aussies in a day-night Test.

Australia went off to a flying start with 77 runs in just 13 overs. Travis Head nailed a fine knock of 33 runs in 43 balls at a strike rate of 76.74 with the help of three boundaries and one six, while Jake Weatherhald creamed 40 runs unbeaten in 36 balls at a strike rate of 111.11.

England were finally able to draw the first blood when Brydon Carse dismissed Head, who again went for a big shot, with Gus Atkinson grabbing a fine catch before the 22-yard line. That was a golden chance for the visitors to get back into the contest. They had a lead of only 257 runs by then.