England’s final score of 325 for 9 barely tells the story of a wild, shape-shifting opening day at the Gabba. Joe Root broke his long drought in Australia with a masterful unbeaten 135, finally claiming a century on Australian soil after years of misses and heartbreak. Mitchell Starc, meanwhile, went full throttle under lights, ripping through England with a sensational 6 for 71.

After the chaos of Perth and 48 hours of noise around selection, this second Test began with all the intensity an Ashes contest demands. England were hammered early. They rebuilt. They crumbled again. And then they surged late through an unlikely Root–Archer last-wicket stand that flipped the tone of the day.

It was everything the Ashes promise — drama, momentum swings, and two giants of the modern era stealing the spotlight.

Root’s Long-Awaited Australian Century Anchors England’s Fightback

Joe Root finally ended one of the most surprising droughts in modern cricket. For a player of his class, reaching a Test hundred in Australia should never have taken this long. Yet under the lights in Brisbane, with England wobbling and Starc charging in, he found his moment.

Root’s innings was the perfect blend of calm, judgment, and subtle aggression. He survived an early scare off Starc when Steven Smith could not hold a sharp chance. After settling, Root played late, smart cricket against the pink ball, building England back from 5 for 2 into something competitive.

His partnership with Zak Crawley — a composed, important 76 — was the beating heart of England’s recovery. Crawley’s timing returned, his judgment sharpened, and his confidence resurfaced after a pair in Perth.

Root’s celebration told the story: a mix of relief and joy. His unbeaten hundred wasn’t just personal redemption; it kept England alive in this Test.

Starc’s Six-Wicket Burst Reminds Everyone Why He Owns the Pink Ball

Mitchell Starc once again proved why he is the most dangerous pink-ball bowler in the world. His opening spell was fiery, hostile, and utterly destructive. He removed Duckett and Pope before England had time to take a breath.

Starc’s second burst was even more devastating. Under dimming natural light, his pace climbed, his control sharpened, and his threat multiplied. Harry Brook fell flashing hard. Will Jacks had no answers. The lower order folded as Starc powered past Wasim Akram’s tally to become the leading wicket-taker among left-arm quicks in Test cricket.

Every Ashes series has a moment when a bowler finds an unplayable rhythm. On Day 1 in Brisbane, that belonged to Starc.

Crawley’s Return to Form Eases England’s Early Crisis

Zak Crawley walked in under enormous pressure after a disastrous outing in Perth. Two innings, zero runs, and plenty of scrutiny. Yet he responded in the way England hoped — with balance, clarity, and controlled aggression.

He played and missed early, but once he got moving, Crawley struck the ball beautifully. His straight drives were a statement. His movement down the crease unsettled Neser, and his half-century arrived briskly, loosening England up after the early collapse.

Crawley’s dismissal in the 70s — again — will frustrate him. But England would not have survived the first session without him.

England Lose Momentum With Middle-Order Errors and Brilliant Australian Fielding

Just when England looked set for a 350-plus total, the match flipped again. Harry Brook’s chaotic cameo ended with a rash shot. Ben Stokes’ needless run-out — undone by a brilliant Inglis direct hit — punctured momentum. Jamie Smith was bowled by a beauty from Boland.

These moments restored Australia’s grip on the day. England’s middle overs were messy, rushed, and full of preventable mistakes. Against Australia, in Australia, those mistakes always hurt twice as much.

The Late Twist — Root and Archer Turn the Day on Its Head

Just when England looked destined to be bowled out before stumps, Joe Root found an unlikely ally in No.11 Jofra Archer. Their unbeaten 61-run stand stunned Australia and reshaped the day’s narrative.

Archer played with freedom and clean timing, allowing Root to keep rotating strike. Australia’s bowlers, after spending long spells on a hard Gabba surface, lost their bite in the final overs.

England surged past 300 for the first time in Australia since 2018 — a psychological breakthrough almost as important as the runs themselves. What looked like a day dominated by Starc became a day balanced by Root.

Root’s Long-Awaited Australian Century Anchors England’s Fightback

Joe Root finally ended one of the most surprising droughts in modern cricket. For a player of his class, reaching a Test hundred in Australia should never have taken this long. Yet under the lights in Brisbane, with England wobbling and Starc charging in, he found his moment.

Root’s innings was the perfect blend of calm, judgment, and subtle aggression. He survived an early scare off Starc when Steven Smith could not hold a sharp chance. After settling, Root played late, smart cricket against the pink ball, building England back from 5 for 2 into something competitive.

His partnership with Zak Crawley — a composed, important 76 — was the beating heart of England’s recovery. Crawley’s timing returned, his judgment sharpened, and his confidence resurfaced after a pair in Perth.

Root’s celebration told the story: a mix of relief and joy. His unbeaten hundred wasn’t just personal redemption; it kept England alive in this Test.

Starc’s Six-Wicket Burst Reminds Everyone Why He Owns the Pink Ball

Mitchell Starc once again proved why he is the most dangerous pink-ball bowler in the world. His opening spell was fiery, hostile, and utterly destructive. He removed Duckett and Pope before England had time to take a breath.

Starc’s second burst was even more devastating. Under dimming natural light, his pace climbed, his control sharpened, and his threat multiplied. Harry Brook fell flashing hard. Will Jacks had no answers. The lower order folded as Starc powered past Wasim Akram’s tally to become the leading wicket-taker among left-arm quicks in Test cricket.

Every Ashes series has a moment when a bowler finds an unplayable rhythm. On Day 1 in Brisbane, that belonged to Starc.

Crawley’s Return to Form Eases England’s Early Crisis

Zak Crawley walked in under enormous pressure after a disastrous outing in Perth. Two innings, zero runs, and plenty of scrutiny. Yet he responded in the way England hoped — with balance, clarity, and controlled aggression.

He played and missed early, but once he got moving, Crawley struck the ball beautifully. His straight drives were a statement, and his movement down the crease unsettled Neser. His half-century arrived briskly, loosening England up after the early collapse.

Crawley’s dismissal in the 70s — again — will frustrate him. But England would not have survived the first session without him.

England Lose Momentum With Middle-Order Errors and Brilliant Australian Fielding

Just when England looked set for a 350-plus total, the match flipped again. Harry Brook’s chaotic cameo ended with a rash shot. Ben Stokes’ needless run-out — undone by a brilliant Inglis direct hit — punctured momentum. Jamie Smith was bowled by a beauty from Boland.

These moments restored Australia’s grip on the day. England’s middle overs were messy, rushed, and full of preventable mistakes. Against Australia, in Australia, those mistakes always hurt twice as much.

The Late Twist — Root and Archer Turn the Day on Its Head

Just when England looked destined to be bowled out before stumps, Joe Root found an unlikely ally in No.11 Jofra Archer. Their unbeaten 61-run stand stunned Australia and reshaped the day’s narrative.

Archer played with freedom and clean timing, allowing Root to keep rotating strike. Australia’s bowlers, after spending long spells on a hard Gabba surface, lost their bite in the final overs.

England surged past 300 for the first time in Australia since 2018 — a psychological breakthrough almost as important as the runs themselves. What looked like a day dominated by Starc became a day balanced by Root.

Conclusion 

Day 1 of the Brisbane Test had everything: collapse, counterattack, speed, skill, tension, and a classic Root century. Starc lit the fire early. Root doused it. Crawley sparked new hope. Then Australia reignited the blaze — only for Root and Archer to flip the script before stumps.

In short, Ashes cricket delivered exactly what it always promises: a story you cannot predict. Day 1 of the Brisbane Test had everything: collapse, counterattack, speed, skill, tension, and a classic Root century.

Starc lit the fire early. Root doused it. Crawley sparked new hope. Then Australia reignited the blaze — only for Root and Archer to flip the script before stumps. In short, Ashes cricket delivered exactly what it always promises: a story you cannot predict.

England’s final score of 325 for 9 barely tells the story of a wild, shape-shifting opening day at the Gabba. Joe Root broke his long drought in Australia with a masterful unbeaten 135, finally claiming a century on Australian soil after years of misses and heartbreak. Mitchell Starc, meanwhile, went full throttle under lights, ripping through England with a sensational 6 for 71.

After the chaos of Perth and 48 hours of noise around selection, this second Test began with all the intensity an Ashes contest demands. England were hammered early. They rebuilt. They crumbled again. And then they surged late through an unlikely Root–Archer last-wicket stand that flipped the tone of the day.

It was everything the Ashes promises — drama, momentum swings, and two giants of the modern era stealing the spotlight.