Ashes 2025 live score: Root and Archer boost England with late blitz after Starc’s pink-ball masterclass
Ben Stokes’ side eye redemption at the iconic Brisbane stadium after a humiliating first Test loss to Australia inside two days
Joe Root celebrated his first century in Australia to give his side hope in the second Test – as wickets tumbled around him.
Root scored 135* and built steadily through the day-night Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane. He reached the landmark from 180 balls, as England finished on 325-9 thanks to a final wicket flurry from Jofra Archer.
Mitchell Starc had previously ripped through the England line-up with a six-fer to reaffirm his status as master of the pink ball.
Root’s history moment came soon after Will Jacks had slashed at wide ball by Starc to fall for 19. Ben Stokes had earlier ran himself out and Jamie Smith was bowled second ball, as England lost quick wickets in the evening session while attempting to set an imposing target for Australia. Archer joined Root at the crease with the score on 264 and the pair put on an unbeaten 61 to keep Australia at bay.
Starc took the early wickets of both Ben Duckett (0) and Ollie Pope (0) as Australia targeted a similarly brutal bowling display as that which saw the visitors succumb to the hosts inside two days of pulsating cricket in the first Test. He later added Gus Atkinson (4) and Brydon Carse (0) to rip through England’s tail, before Archer and Root hit back with a flurry of late boundaries.
Follow all the latest updates, scores and analysis on day one at The Gabba below:
Stumps: England 325-9
Michael Neser has the ball in hand for the final over of the day.
England’s counterattack has taken on an air of caution. Both Root and Archer are keeping the ball on the floor so Smith brings in the field.
Root takes one and leaves Archer to face the rest of the over.
He calls through for one and there’s another single for Root as well.
Neser’s final two deliveries see Archer solidly defend.
England 322-9
Mitchell Starc continues and is pulled away by Archer who moves up to 30.
There’s not much time left in the day now so England might try to get through to tomorrow and have another go.
Root works the ball away for two before taking a single with a flick to the midwicket boundary.
Archer pushes Starc through point and takes one which brings him to his highest ever Test score. It’s come at a fine time for England.
England 314-9
This partnership is up to 43 from 26 balls and they were needed for England.
This cameo from Archer has probably tipped the day back in England’s favour.
Archer charges at Boland but can only scuff the ball into the offside for one more.
Six!
Root scoops Boland over third man and middles his shot. It’s fantastic and he’s rewarded with a maximum. That also brings up the fifty partnership.
England 306-9
Six more! Jofra Archer take a bow. He belts Starc back over his own head for another maximum and then gets off strike.
Root brings up England’s 300 with a four! He goes down the ground as well.
Ben Stokes will be happy now. 300 is a always a solid total and anything added from here is a bonus.
Starc’s over ends with a few more singles.
England 292-9
Archer drives and collects anpther two off Boland.
Next he rocks back and connects with a delightful pull shot which finds the gap and brings four more.
Archer takes one more and Root has one ball left to face from Boland.
Root goes big too! A one bounce four brings 19 from the over.
Stokes is waiting at the side of the pitch, will he declare?
England 281-9
Huge!
Archer does get one in the slot and smokes Boland over the deep midwicket boundary for a maximum!
A few more of those are needed.
Chance! Archer swings again and top edges it. The ball hangs in the air but lands safely on the legside. England scramble through for two.
England 273-9
Steve Smith has spread the field but brought in a short leg and takes some time out of the game by calling for a helmet to be brought on.
Starc flings the ball outside off and Archer swings wildly but doesn’t come close to hitting it.
Archer then takes another run to end the over.
England 272-9
Archer drives Starc down the gorund and gets himself off the mark. He can hit a big ball if he gets one in the slot.
England will want as many runs as possible before this final wicket falls.
Root digs out a yorker and calls for two but Carey recovers the ball quickly and limits him to just a single.
England 269-9
Matthew Potts has come out with some new gloves for Root and no doubt some new instructions from England camp.
Root faces up against Starc and reverse scoops him into the offside.
He looked for third man but got through the shot too early and toed it into the gap.
There could be fireworks coming...
England 269-9
Four! Lovely from Root. He rocks onto the back foot and guides Boland away to third man for another boundary.
Any runs from this position will be crucial for England’s chances in this Test.
Root then takes a one and leaves Jofra Archer two balls to survive.
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