Australia have scrapped their way to a first innings lead in the second Ashes Test, capitalising on England’s sloppiest day of the series after five dropped catches, muddled tactics and wayward bowling soured their bright start at the Gabba.
At the close of an enthralling day’s play in the pink-ball clash – which is proving far closer to a traditional Test match than the two-day mayhem in Perth – Australia reached 6-378, boasting a lead of 44 runs, to tighten their grip on a series that looks to be steadily drifting their way.
England had an embarrassing day in the field, putting down five catches in 73 overs – including four in a miserable last hour – to live-up to their reputation of being overawed in the big moments in Australia.
The tourists’ woeful ability to catch a pink ball – aside from a stunning grab from Will Jacks to remove Steve Smith – came as Australia’s regular skipper Pat Cummins declared he was ready to return for the third Test in Adelaide and conceded Josh Hazlewood had suffered a “minor hiccup” with a fresh Achilles injury.
“I will have a couple of bowls and as long as nothing goes wrong, we should be right [for Adelaide],” Cummins said on Channel Seven. “Realistically, I would have had some bowling management to do within [this] game and it was still high risk.”
Ben Duckett spilled two chances, including Alex Carey first ball, while Jamie Smith, Joe Root and Brydon Carse also dropped catches.
Ben Duckett: two dropped catches, one ball faced so fa
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