Will Jacks’ classic catch, Jake Weatherald’s hot start: The biggest Ashes moments on day two in Brisbane
From Will Jacks claiming a catch of the year contender, to Jake Weatherald’s debut half-century, Day 2 featured plenty of electric moments. Relive them all here.
If the first Test felt like a sprint, then the second offering is feeling more like a marathon, with inspired first innings from both sides to begin things at the Gabba.
From Jake Weatherald’s red-hot start to Will Jacks’ catch of the year contender, these were the biggest moments from Day 2 in Brisbane.
BRUTAL DROP GIVES AUSSIES HEAD START
Travball almost got off to a heartbreaking start in the second Test, after the saviour from Perth came close to being dispatched for just three runs.
After catching an outside edge, Travis Head looked dead to rights as the ball make a beeline for Jamie Smith, only for wicketkeeper Jamie Smith to bobble the catch, giving the Aussie opener a second chance.
“You’ve got to take them. That’s a must-take here,” said Matthew Hayden on commentary.
30 runs later, Head would meet his demise, but the early stint was crucial in allowing Australia to work into some sort of momentum.
TRAVBALL ENDS EARLY IN BRISBANE
He might’ve gotten a chance at redemption, but Travis Head failed to live up to his heroics from the first Test Friday, caught by Gus Atkinson for just 33 runs.
Facing 43 balls, Head was unable to truly find his form, perhaps knowing he was playing on borrowed time after his early escape.
Alongside Weatherald, he and Head made up the eighth opening partnership Australia have experimented with since the start of last year, with the mixed results not providing certainty for a nation eager to find a concrete solution to the problem.
WEATHERALD’S FIRST 50
It was a successful first stint for Jake Weatherald at the Gabba, raising his bat to claim his first half-century for Australia.
The 31-year-old set a hot pace to begin the Aussie’s first innings, putting his team in a good position after opening partner Head exited early.
Weatheral was ultimately sent packing for 72, after Jofra Archer placed a yorker perfectly on the batsman’s big toe.
MARNUS KEEPS IT COMING
After a poor showing in the first innings in Perth, Marnus Labuschagne walked onto the pitch and stayed there, finished with 51 not out alongside Travis Head.
In Brisbane, it didn’t take long for him to remind the English how dangerous he can be, hitting the half-century mark almost by accident as he went on to record 65 runs.
One of three Aussies to score at least 60 so far in Australia’s first stint, Labuschagne looks to have settled in as the series rolls along.
AUSSIES NOT STOKED WITH WICKET
A slow start for Ben Stokes on Friday, but when he struck he made it count, bringing down Marnus Labuschagne just as it felt like he was hitting his stride.
It was a tough day out for the English batting unit, so bad in fact that it led Stuart Broad to label their first innings effort as a ‘disaster’.
But for Stokes, he was able to get some of his mojo back with a timely ball against the Aussie instigator.
GOCSY GETS SMITHS ATTENTION
There are plenty of big names in and around the Gabba for the second Ashes Test, but it was an unexpected name who made an impact on Friday in a surprise way.
As Steve Smith prepared to face a ball, he pulled back citing a distraction in the crowd, which the camera’s quickly revealed to be none other than actor and comedian Aaron Gocs, a.k.a Gocsy.
After seeing the bright yellow jersey combined with the flowing mullet, it was no surprise that Smudge needed a second to collect himself before continuing.
SMITH JOINS AUSSIE 60 TRIO
It was a half-century bonanza for the Aussies Friday, with Smith the third man to hit the 50 run mark - and then the third man to hit 60.
These middle order runs were crucial for an Australian team putting up an impressive fight, with Smith eventually dispatched for 61.
CARSE CURATES HORROR THREE-BALL RUN
Australia were flying high, Steve Smith and Cameron Green finding their stride in what looked to be a very promising partnership.
Three balls later, both were gone, thanks to a wild run from Brydon Carse.
First it was Green, who all but volunteered his wicket in an attempt to orchestrate a circus sweep shot, before Will Jacks pulled off a mind-melting catch to send Smith walking, and give the Poms some much needed juice.
STOKES GETS INGLIS, NEARLY NESER
An absolute rocket of a ball from Ben Stokes saw Josh Inglis head to the sheds, with a delivery that might as well have vaporised the middle stump.
But it was the ball right after that threatened to break the match open, after Michael Neser looked to have been hit in the pad on his very first ball.
Ultimately, DRS went in the Aussies favour, but it showed that Stokes was very much still a threat as the game progressed late into the Brisbane night.
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