Boland Sparks Momentum as Australia Seizes Control at the Gabba
What unfolded at the Gabba felt like another wild chapter in an Ashes series that has refused to behave normally. Day two was all about Australia swinging hard with the bat, cashing in on England’s erratic bowling, and then almost handing the momentum back… only to claw it away again late in the evening. And while the scoreboard was lit up by stroke-makers like Weatherald, Head, Smith and Green, the broader storyline now tilts toward what comes next — including the impact of Scott Boland, who remains a key figure in Australia’s evolving attack.
The day actually began with England pushing their overnight score a little further, courtesy of Joe Root, who carried his bat for a brilliant unbeaten 138. Jofra Archer chipped in with 38 before he flicked Brendan Doggett to deep backward square, where Marnus Labuschagne launched himself horizontally to pull off a catch that stunned even the locals. England closed at 334, a good total, but one that didn’t look nearly enough once Australia’s reply began.
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The Australian innings exploded to life after a quiet start. Jake Weatherald, still new to Test cricket but batting like he owned the Gabba, pounced on England’s wayward lengths. Travis Head survived a simple dropped catch early — a moment that seemed to switch something on inside him — and from there the two left-handers tore into anything loose. Boundaries kept flowing, the run rate hovered above five, and England’s bowlers looked completely lost. Ponting called the bowling “rubbish”; Broad called it “erratic”. Neither felt wrong.
Weatherald raced to a blistering half-century, cutting and carving England all over the place, while Labuschagne joined in with his usual fluency. By tea, Australia had hammered 112 runs in 14 overs. But as this series has taught everyone, control never lasts long. Archer produced a perfect yorker to end Weatherald’s innings on 72, and Stokes — through sheer force of will — started dragging England back into the contest. He struck Labuschagne on the arm, softened the ball, had it inspected, and then removed him with a feathered edge.
Yet again, momentum swung. Smith and Green powered Australia forward under lights, countering the short-ball plan with a mix of calculated strokes and sheer audacity. Smith raced to a rapid half-century, Green looked in command on 45, and Australia surged past 250. Then, out of nowhere, England struck twice in three balls — Green bowled trying to create room, and Smith brilliantly caught by Will Jacks.
By stumps, Alex Carey and Michael Neser had steadied things, pushing Australia to 6-378 and a precious 44-run lead. With Boland, Starc and the rest of the attack primed to bowl under lights, the match feels like it’s tipping Australia’s way. The next chapter — with Boland’s accuracy and relentlessness — could be decisive.
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