The second Test of the Ashes 2025-26 ended with another big defeat for England. The match was played at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 4. Australia once again dominated and beat England by eight wickets.

England began their innings with Zak Crawley scoring a solid 76. Joe Root produced a standout performance, hitting his maiden Test century in Australia and making 138 off 206 balls. Jofra Archer added a useful 38 runs, helping England reach a total of 334.

Australia gave a strong reply. Travis Head scored 33, and Jake Weatherald made 72 as openers. Marnus Labuschagne added 65 runs, while Steve Smith scored 61. Alex Carey made 63, and Mitchell Starc played a key knock of 77 runs. Australia reached 511 runs in their first innings and took a big lead against England.

Also Read -Watch: Kuldeep Yadav gets this award from India’s dressing room after 2-1 ODI series win vs South Africa

A seriously spicy end to the second Test! #Ashes

Break it down here: https://t.co/2htO3lNuXL pic.twitter.com/Tq62fMqr3h

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 7, 2025

Australia Maintains Dominance to Win Second Ashes Test

In the second innings, England tried to put up a better fight, but another middle-order collapse hurt them again. Zak Crawley continued his good form and scored 44 from 59 balls. Ben Stokes added a steady 50. England reached 241, which set Australia a target of 65 runs.

While chasing, Australia lost Travis Head early for 2 runs. However, Jake Weatherald (17*) and Steve Smith (23*) stayed calm and took the team home. Australia finished at 69/2 in 10 overs, winning the match by eight wickets and taking a 2–0 lead in the five-match Ashes series.

Brief Scores:

England: 334 and 241 in 75.2 overs (Stokes 50, Crawley 44; Neser 5/42, Boland 2/47, Starc 2/64)

Australia: 511 and 69/2 in 10 overs (Smith 23*, Weatherald 17*; Atkinson 2/47)

Result: Australia won by 8 wickets

Player of the Match: Mitchell Starc

Series: Australia lead 2–0 in the 5-match series

The century of Joe Root in the ongoing 2nd Test of the Ashes 2025-26 caused some out-of-the-field hilarious moments because of a comment of Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden. The former cricketer had jokingly promised that he would run nude in Melbourne if Root failed to score a hundred in the ongoing Ashes series. This is not going to happen, as the England batter smashed a century at The Gabba.

Now, Grace Hayden, daughter of Matthew Hayden, with a sense of humour, shared a hilarious story on her Instagram account. She thanked the almighty, as her father would not have to run naked around the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Grace thanked Joe Root for "saving all our eyes". "Root, thank you. You've saved all our eyes," she wrote in her Instagram story shortly after Root reached the milestone. The screenshot of the Instagram story quickly went viral across social media platforms, thanks to her huge fan following.

England was struggling earlier in the ongoing match, which is a pink ball test, because of early strikes from Mitchell Starc. Root stepped up on a big occasion and rescued his team from a possible batting collapse. The right-handed batter remained unbeaten for 138 off 206 with fifteen boundaries and one over boundary. With the help of Root's hundred-plus-run knock, England registered 334 runs in their first innings of the day-night Test.

Read More: Watch: Hardik Pandya hugged bowler after getting dismissed in SMAT 2025

Hilarious reply as Joe Root scored century in the 2nd Test of The Ashes

For Australia, Mitchell Starc took a total of 6 wickets in his 20-over spell in the first phase of the game. After the century of Root, Matthew Hayden took some moments to celebrate the occasion out of the commentary box.

A viral video, posted by Channel 7, showed Hayden broke into an enthusiastic dance outside the commentary box as soon as the England batter completed his century.

Let's cross LIVE to Matthew Hayden after Joe Root's century...

😂 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/4Wnnp5vsMN

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 4, 2025

Joe Root scored a brilliant century yesterday in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. The match is being played with the pink ball under lights. Root remained unbeaten on 135 runs, and England reached 325 for nine wickets at stumps after 74 overs. This was his 40th Test century and brought him closer to several world records held by Sachin Tendulkar.

After this knock, the debate has started again—can Joe Root break Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs in Test cricket? At 34, Root finally scored his first Test century against Australia after 12 long years. With 160 Test matches already played, he has reached many big milestones in the format.

Root has also created a few Test records that Sachin Tendulkar could not achieve in his long and legendary career. Here are three such records that belong to Joe Root but not to Sachin.

Also Read -Watch: Hardik Pandya hugged bowler after getting dismissed in SMAT 2025

There were daft shots to endure. There was Mitchell Starc discomforting England’s top order and threatening to run through the tail.

And, through it all, there was the defiance and brilliance of Joe Root. That tiresome statistic about not having made a Test century in Australia… pic.twitter.com/k3wTLAGTP8

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 4, 2025

3 Test Records Joe Root Achieved That Even Sachin Tendulkar Never Did

1. Fifty-plus scores in most consecutive Tests

Consistency is very important in Test cricket. Both Root and Tendulkar showed this throughout their careers. Sachin scored fifty-plus runs in 10 consecutive Tests from December 2009 to October 2010. But Joe Root went further and created a world record by scoring fifty-plus runs in 12 consecutive Tests. He achieved this from October 2016 to August 2017.

2. Hundred in both innings of a Test match

Sachin Tendulkar scored 51 Test hundreds but never made a century in both innings of the same match. Joe Root achieved this rare milestone in August 2024 at Lord’s against Sri Lanka, scoring 143 in the first innings and 103 in the second innings.

3. Most catches in Test cricket

Sachin Tendulkar ended his Test career with 115 catches in 200 matches. Joe Root has already gone far ahead with 213 catches, making him the player with the most catches in Test cricket history. This record does not seem likely to be broken anytime soon.

Mitchell Starc believes that Pakistan legend Wasim Akram is still “the pinnacle” of left-arm pace bowling. Starc surpassed Akram on Day 1 of the 2nd Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 at The Gabba by taking 6 wickets in a 19-over spell. With the 6 scalps, the Australian pacer is the most successful left-arm pacer in Test cricket.

Starc rewrote history during the second session when he dismissed Harry Brook. Akram, widely known as the 'Sultan of Swing', took 414 wickets in 104 Test matches, while Starc now has 418 wickets in 102 matches. On Day 1 of the ongoing Australia vs England day-night Test, the Aussie pacer removed Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. After the first Test of the series, Cummins and Hazlewood are out of the Gabba Test because of injury concerns. Akram himself congratulated Starc for his historic feat.

The former Pakistan international wrote from his 'X' account, "Super Starc! Proud of you, mate; it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally of wickets. Go well and keep soaring."

Read More: Watch: Captain Ishan Kishan with fans after straight 5 wins in SMAT 2025

Mitchell Starc named the best left-arm pacer over himself

During the post-match press conference, a journalist asked Starc if he is now the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in Tests. Denying the label, the 35-year-old chose to stay humble and kept Akram ahead of him. According to him, Wasim Akram is still better than him.

"I'll reflect on it later. Wasim is still the pinnacle left-armer. I think he's still better. I get asked all the time; I still don't know. It is what it is. I think it's still like a white ball. Today, it was a softball. A couple of Yorkshiremen, runs and wickets. Joe's batted well there. A pretty tough day's cricket. I think once that ball goes soft, it's not the easiest thing to score with. It's certainly not the easiest thing to bowl with when it's soft. Proper Test cricket. Pink ball, 9 for 320, pretty solid day's Test cricket," Starc said this in the press conference.

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Mitchell Starc was flying with the new ball at the Gabba on Day 1 of the 2nd Test match of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26. The pacer claimed the first wicket in the very first over of the match in the form of England opener Ben Duckett (0). Starc, in his 2nd over of the spell, clinched the wicket of Ollie Pope. Like Duckett, Pope also lost his wicket for a duck.

After winning the toss, England skipper Ben Stokes chose to bat first, and they were down by 2 men for only 5 runs in 2.3 overs because of Mitchell Starc. He bowled out Pope with a jaffa and took the wicket of the opener, Duckett, with the help of Marnus Labuschagne, who was standing at the slip cordon. With the wicket of Ollie Pope, strengthen his record in the pink ball (day-night test).

He is the bowler with the most wickets in the day-night Test cricket category and tops the list of the bowlers who took the most wickets against a single opponent with a pink ball. In the list of bowlers with the most wickets against a single team in pink-ball tests, Starc broke his own record. And if we talk about the most successful bowler in the pink ball Test, then he is miles ahead of his countryman Pat Cummins, who is second on the list. Nathan Lyon, a spinner and another Australian bowler, is third in the list.

Read More: Watch: Captain Ishan Kishan with fans after straight 5 wins in SMAT 2025

List of bowlers with the most wickets against a single team in pink-ball tests

• 20* - Mitchell Starc vs England
• 17 - Starc vs West Indies
• 16 - Shamar Joseph vs Australia
• 16 - Alzarri Joseph vs Australia

List of highest wicket takers in Pink Ball Test

AUS vs ENG The Ashes  Match Preview:

Australia is ready to take on England in the 2nd Test match of the Ashes series. The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, will host this match between two old rivals. Australia has won the first Test to take a 1-0 lead in this five-match series. They clinched the opening Match by 8 wickets. Mitchell Starc was awarded Player of the Match for taking 10 wickets in this match. The ecstatic hosts would like to continue this energy and maintain their strong winning momentum.

Nevertheless, England's batsmen's performance in the first Test match was poor. Harry Brock was the sole batsman who scored a half-century for England. Ben Stokes did a great job for his team with the ball. England is now focused on a comeback to level the series after a heartbreaking loss.

Recent Performance:

AUS vs ENG The Ashes, 2025 Match Details:

• Series/Tournament: The Ashes 
• Match: AUS vs ENG 2nd Test Match
• Date: 4 Dec. 2025
• Match Start Time: 9:30 AM IST
• Stadium/Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia
• Live Score: cricketwinner.com
• Live Streaming: Star Sports network, Jio Hotstar

Head-to-Head Stats:

(Last 10 Matches)

Pitch & Weather Report:

Clouds may appear, but the likelihood of rain is extremely low. The temperature is forecasted to be around 21.6°C. Based on previous statistics, the average score at this venue ranges between 273 and 396 runs. The pitch is helpful for both batters and pacers.

The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia Stats: 

The fast bowlers get a little more help at the start of the match. But after spending some time on the pitch, the batsmen can make a good score. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first will be a wise decision on this surface.      

AUS vs ENG The Gabba Test Playing 11

Australia (AUS) Probable 11:

Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland

England (ENG) Probable 11:

Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse

AUS vs ENG- Top Picks from AUS

AUS vs ENG- Top Picks from ENG

Cricket Winner Player’s Insight:

Travis Head (AUS) Australia chased down the target confidently, with Travis Head scoring 123 off 83 balls

Mitchell Starc (AUS) needs no introduction, especially when he comes to the Pink Ball. He is one player to watch out for. 

Ben Stokes (ENG) is capable of winning any match from any stage. He is a valuable pick for the upcoming match.

Joe Root (ENG) is the most experienced player in England’s Squad. He can single-handedly handle England's innings.

AUS vs ENG Captain & Vice-Captain Choices:

AUS vs ENG Fantasy Team Suggestion:  

AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Expert Advice 

AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Probable Winners:

AUS is expected to win this match. They have the advantage of playing on their home ground. Australia is currently leading by 1-0 and will strive to maintain its dominance.

AUS vs ENG 2nd Test Match FAQ

Who is likely to win the AUS vs ENG match today?

Australia (AUS) is expected to win this match.

Who is ahead in head-to-head stats?    

Australia

Who are the top fantasy picks for the AUS vs ENG Dream11 team?

Ben Stokes, Mitchell Starc, Joe Root, Steven Smith, Ollie Pope and Travis Head

What is the pitch report for this match?

The surface is balanced, and we can expect an average score range between 273 and 396 runs.

English Test captain Ben Stokes has urged critics not to describe England’s series-opening performance in the ongoing Ashes as “arrogant”. England suffered an eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the first Test of the five-match series in Perth. Stokes stated that although the result was disappointing, England were “great” during certain phases of the match.

He added that he had no issue with people criticising the team’s execution but felt the label “arrogant” was unfair. Stokes emphasized that the team did not have the performance they wanted but played well in important moments during the Test.

"Look, you can call us rubbish, call us whatever you want. We didn't have the Test match that we wanted to. We were great in passages of that game, but I think 'arrogant' might be a little bit too far. But that's okay. We'll take the rough with the smooth. I'd rather words like 'rubbish', but 'arrogant', I'm not so sure about that," stated Stokes, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Stokes Says Fans Are Disappointed but England Still Chasing Ashes Glory

Stokes acknowledged the disappointment that English fans must be feeling after the heavy defeat. However, he remained firm that the team’s primary goal remains unchanged to win the Ashes series. He reminded that it is a five-match contest and England still have four Tests left to turn things around.

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"We know that there'll be a lot of disappointed fans in England after that first defeat. But it's a five-game series, we've got four games to go, we've lost the first one - we're absolutely desperate to come home with that goal from before we even started the series, which is to win the Ashes," concluded Stokes. England posted 172 and 164 in the two innings, failing to capitalise on their 40-run first-innings lead. Australia cruised to victory thanks to a Travis Head century and a 10-wicket match haul from Mitchell Starc. England’s next challenge will be the pink-ball second Test starting December 4 in Brisbane.

While the pacers dominated the first three innings of the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26, and the fourth innings target of 205 runs seemed really challenging, the Aussie opener Travis Head stunned everyone with a 69-ball century as the hosts stormed in the fourth innings chase. 

England set a 205-run target for the hosts Australia in the fourth innings, as the Aussie left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc completed his 10-wicket haul in the match with three more wickets in England’s second innings after his seven-fer in the first innings.  

While every cricket fan was feeling an exciting fourth innings battle in the Perth Test and a possible finish on the third day, Travis Head had a completely different idea. It was a Head-storm, where the English bowlers had no clue how to stop him.  

Watch: Mitchell Starc completes 10-wicket haul on Day 2 of 1st Test of The Ashes 2025-26

Travis Head slammed 69-ball century

As the experienced opener Usman Khawaja was unavailable to open the innings, debutant Jake Weatherald opened with Travis Head in the fourth innings. The openers had a brilliant 75-run partnership for the first wicket, while Head and Marnus Labuschagne had a 117-run partnership for the second wicket before the stand-in captain Steven Smith and Labuschagne's third wicket partnership comfortably took Australia home.  

After completing his fifty in 36 balls, Head completed his 10th Test century in just 69 balls. It was the second fastest century in the Ashes history, while it was also the joint third fastest Test century by an Australian batter. Overall, it was the joint sixth fastest century in Test cricket history.  

Fastest Ashes centuries for Australia:

57 balls - Adam Gilchrist, Perth 2006
𝟲𝟵 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 - 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱, 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
85 balls - Joe Darling, Sydney 1898

One of the greatest Ashes innings you'll ever see 🤩 pic.twitter.com/8Cb89vYpyv

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 22, 2025

Fastest centuries in the Ashes history  

• 57 balls by Adam Gilchrist (Australia) in Perth 2006

• 69 balls by Travis Head (Australia) in Perth 2025

• 76 balls by Gilbert Jessop (England) in The Oval 1902

Fastest Test centuries by Australians 

• 57 balls by Adam Gilchrist (vs England) in Perth 2006

• 67 balls by Jack Gregory (vs South Africa) in Johannesburg 1921 

• 69 balls by David Warner (vs India) in Perth 2012

• 69 balls by Travis Head (vs England) in Perth 2025

Once again, the Aussie fast bowlers dominated as England were all out for 164 runs to set a 205-run fourth innings target for the hosts in the first Test of the Ashes 2025-26 at Perth Stadium in Perth. Just like their first innings of the match, the experienced Aussie opener Usman Khawaja didn’t come to bat as an opener in the fourth innings of the Test. 

Australia have a 205-run target to win the Test match and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series with four to go. However, just like the first innings of the Australian innings in the match, Usman Khawaja couldn’t come to bat as an opener, as the debutant Jake Weatherald had the new opening partner as Travis Head. 

Watch: Mitchell Starc completes 10-wicket haul on Day 2 of 1st Test of The Ashes 2025-26

Usman Khawaja once again missed out on opening batting

During the second innings of England’s innings in the Perth Test, the first slip fielder Usman Khawaja went for a low catch to dismiss Jamie Smith. Although that tough attempt was unsuccessful, Cricket Australia reported that he might have tweaked his back, while he also suffered spasms during the first innings of the match.   

While Khawaja went to the dressing room, the stand-in captain Steven Smith was seen talking with the square leg umpire, presumably about whether he could bat as an opener if he stayed out of the field for an extended time. 

Later, Cricket Australia confirmed that Khawaja couldn’t bat as an opener in the fourth innings of the Perth Test. It was also clarified that he wouldn’t be able to open even if he was able to, as that injury wasn’t counted as an “external blow.” 

Unfortunately, Uzzie's not moving too well: Pat Cummins

Australian regular captain Pat Cummins, who isn’t playing the Ashes 2025-26 opener as he is recovering from his injury, later confirmed Khawaja’s injury during his presence at the broadcaster.  

Cummins claimed, "Unfortunately, Uzzie's not moving too well. His black flared up again, in the slips going for a jump above his head. So he's unable to open. So kinda working out if we shuffle everyone up like the first innings.” 

While Khawaja is struggling with his back spasms in the Perth Test, he has been criticized for his pre-match golf outings.  

Unimaginable catch by Mitchell Starc. A caught and bowl to start Day 2 of the 1st Test of The Ashes 2025-26. Starc got England opener Zak Crawley for the second time in the match. And what a way to get a wicket! The crowd at the Optus Stadium in Perth absolutly loved the moment. Great bowling along with great fielding display by the tall Aussie pacer. 

On the 5th ball of the first over of the second innings, Starc dismissed Crawley for a caught and bowl. It was a good lenght delivery from the pacer, on the line of the middle stump, the batter was ready to play a straight drive. Crawley made the connection with the ball, but produced a leading edge. The ball might have stuck on the surface a littlebit and reached late to the batter, that's why the opener was not able to met the ball with sweet spot of his willow. 

Starc observed every movement of the ball thorougly, he saw the ball coming towards him, but with some pace and away from his body. To make the sure, the bowler showed his insane level of elasticity on his followthrough, bent himself down, stretched his left arm and grabbed the ball. He even curved his wrists so that the ball did not hit the ground. Umpire went for a check to make sure it was a fine catch, and it was an absolute fine catch. Mitchell Starc again on the roll, got his man early. 

Read More: Watch: All 19 wickets fell on Day 1 of the first Test of The Ashes 2025-26

Micthell Starc dismissed Zak Crawley with a caught and bowl: 

WHAT A RIDICULOUS TAKE! Mitchell Starc sends Zak Crawley off for a pair! #Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/1cg8PtLzx4

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2025

In the first innings of the match, Starc claimed 7 wickets in his 12.5 overs. England, batting first, scored only 172 runs in their first innings. The total was enough to take a lead as Australia, the home team got only 132 runs in their first innings. 

England captain and pace bowling alllrounder Ben Stokes bagged a 5-wicket figure to make to sure his team got some lead. Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse supported their captain well enough with their pace bowling.