England vs Australia Test Day 2

England vs Australia Test Day 2 in England is leading by 218 runs.

The second day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) provided a high-octane display of Test match cricket, featuring historic milestones, a lower-order collapse, and a blistering counter-attack. After a rain-marred opening day, the match roared back to life on Monday as Joe Root carved his name further into the record books, only for Travis Head to respond with a trademark aggressive knock that left the game perfectly poised at the close of play.

Root’s Masterclass and the Pursuit of History

England resumed the day in a position of strength at 211/3, with Joe Root (72*) and Harry Brook (78*) looking to turn their overnight partnership into a match-defining stand. However, the Australian pace attack, led by a revitalized Michael Neser, found its rhythm early in the morning session.

Harry Brook was the first to fall, unable to add significantly to his overnight score, departing for a well-played 84. His exit triggered a mini-collapse as the Australian bowlers exploited the morning moisture. Captain Ben Stokes fell for a duck, and while Jamie Smith provided a breezy 46 to steady the ship, England’s middle order struggled to stay with their former skipper.

Amidst the falling wickets, Joe Root remained a calm, immovable force. He reached his 41st Test century, a milestone that saw him equal the legendary Ricky Ponting. Not content with just a hundred, Root pushed on to his 17th score of 150-plus, moving past Mahela Jayawardene in that elite category. His 160 off 242 balls was a clinic in discipline and placement, anchoring England to a competitive total of 384.

The Australian Bowling Response

Australia’s bowlers deserve credit for their persistence after a difficult Day 1. Michael Neser was the standout performer, spearheading the attack with figures of 4/60. His ability to extract movement with the older ball proved crucial in cleaning up the tail. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland provided ample support, picking up two wickets apiece, ensuring that England didn’t cross the psychological 400-run mark. The final wicket fell just before tea, leaving Australia with a tricky session to navigate before stumps.

The Counter-Attack: Head and Labuschagne Respond

Australia’s reply began under pressure, and the early loss of Jake Weatherald for 21—trapped LBW by Ben Stokes—threatened to put the hosts on the back foot. However, the dismissal only brought Travis Head to the crease, and the South Australian wasted no time in shifting the momentum back to the home side.

Head played with a freedom that has become his trademark this series. He dispatched anything loose to the boundary, reaching a rapid-fire half-century in just 55 balls. Alongside Marnus Labuschagne, Head orchestrated a 105-run partnership that deflated the England bowlers. Labuschagne looked solid for his 48 before a thick edge off Stokes found the hands of Jacob Bethell at gully late in the day. At stumps, Australia reached 166/2, with Travis Head unbeaten on 91 off just 87 deliveries*. Accompanying him was nightwatchman Michael Neser (1*).