In a breathtaking display of Test cricket, the second Ashes encounter in Brisbane was illuminated by two monumental performances that will be etched into the rivalry’s storied history. On one side, English captain Joe Root exorcised his Australian demons with a magnificent, unbeaten 135—his first-ever Test century on Australian soil. On the other, Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc etched his name into the record books, claiming a devastating 6-71 to become the most prolific left-arm fast bowler in Test history, surpassing Pakistan legend Wasim Akram’s tally of 414 wickets.
The day-night contest commenced in disastrous fashion for the tourists, crumbling to a precarious 5-2 within the opening overs as Starc’s fiery spell accounted for Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. From the brink of collapse, Root orchestrated a masterful resurrection of the English innings. He found a crucial ally in Zak Crawley (76), with whom he built a stabilizing 117-run partnership that shifted the momentum. Root’s innings, a blend of impeccable technique and determined resolve, saw him navigate the challenging pink ball under lights and systematically dismantle the Australian attack. He reached his landmark century with a elegant leg glance to the boundary.
Despite Root’s heroics, Starc remained a persistent threat throughout the day. His six-wicket haul included key breakthroughs that repeatedly stifled England’s momentum, reducing them to 264-9 and seemingly on the verge of another subpar total. However, in a stunning finale, number eleven batsman Jofra Archer launched a blistering counter-attack, smashing an unbeaten 32 off just 26 balls, including two colossal sixes. His unbroken, record 61-run partnership for the tenth wicket with a now-attacking Root, who himself executed a audacious reverse scoop for six, propelled England to a respectable 325-9 at stumps.
The match was also notable for a major selection shock from the hosts, who omitted veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon for seamer Michael Neser, marking Australia’s first home Test without a frontline spinner in nearly 14 years. Both teams also paid tribute, wearing black armbands in memory of the late former England batsman Robin Smith.