The Ashes 2025 second Test day two LIVE updates: Australia’s new batting order faces rejuvenated England outfit

Australia are under fire for their painfully slow over rates at the Gabba, including a three-over period that took 18 minutes as fields were changed, helmets taken on and off and conferences held with bowlers during the final session of day one of the Brisbane Test.

The home team managed only 74 overs on day one, finishing well behind the mandatory 90 overs despite play being extended for an extra half hour in the evening session.

Star gazing: Mitchell Starc claimed six wickets on day one at the Gabba but, with the hosts fielding five fast bowlers, their over rate was terrible.Credit: Getty Images

Over rate penalties do not kick in until the 80 over mark, so Australia will avoid punishment if they take the last England wicket quickly on day two.

However, former Australian swing bowler Damien Fleming labelled ICC penalties, which can include heavy fines and the loss of world Test championship points, meaningless after the farcical scenes during the 10th-wicket partnership between Joe Root and Jofra Archer on Thursday night. The sluggish tempo prompted questions over whether fans were being short-changed.

A typical over in Test cricket should take about four minutes, based on the expectation of 15 overs in an hour.

Joe Root might easily have made a hundred in just his second Test match in Australia had it not been for Nathan Lyon.

At Adelaide Oval in December 2013, a 22-year-old Root fought his way to 87 against Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle, only to squeeze a bat pad catch off Lyon just when it looked like he was destined for three figures.

Joe Root shrugs towards the England dressing room after reaching triple figures.Credit: AP

While Lyon has not always been the most difficult of Root’s opponents on these shores, his absence from a home Test for the first time since January 2012 helped give the former England captain enough latitude to finally forge that breakthrough century, 12 years and 26 innings later.

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It was a moment to savour at a floodlit Gabba, as Root’s innings gave England a foothold in the match and the series after defeat in two days in Perth. He also ensured that Matthew Hayden would not have to follow through on his promise to run nude around the MCG if Root did not finally reach a hundred in Australia, which will be a relief to all.

At the same time, Root’s hundred and Zak Crawley’s punchy 76 placed a firm spotlight on Lyon’s absence, as England finished day one at the Gabba with an unbroken 10th wicket partnership of 66 that carried them to 9-325 at stumps.

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Afternoon sports fans,

Back for more I see. Can’t say I blame you, not when we’ve got a Test threatening to last at least three days. For those of you tuning into the blog from pretty much all over NSW, today is the type of heat Rob “man it’s a hot one” Thomas could appreciate.

Rob Thomas (right) and Carlos Santana: hot enough for ya?Credit: REUTERS

The type of heat that drives a person to ignore all commitments and responsibilities in the name of air con, bodies of water and Test cricket.

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On the latter, we’ve got you sorted. England are 9-325, having pinched line honours for the opening day with an unbeaten stand of 61 between Joe Root and Jofra Archer. Mitchell Starc has six wickets, Australia need to be batting as soon as physically possible, and we’ve got Tom Decent, Dan Brettig and Andrew Wu on the ground for whatever these two teams can throw at us.

First ball today is at 3pm AEDT, we’ll be gibbering away until then and don’t think we’ll stop when the cricket starts either. Consider yourself forewarned.