England battled back impressively to reach 98 for two at tea on the opening day of the alternate Ashes Test at the Gabba, with nature Zak Crawley putting on a commanding display alongside Joe Root.
After a disappointing first Test, where Crawley was dismissed for a brace of ducks, he showed fortitude and determination, collecting a composed 61 not out.
Root, steady as ever, was unbeaten on 32. Together, the pair stitched an unbroken 93-run stand, giving England some breathing room after a torrid start.
Australia’s pace ace Mitchell Starc made life miserable for the visitors early on, removing both Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks inside the third over.
Duckett nicked one to Marnus Labuschagne in the slips, while Pope’s ill-advised shot away from his body saw him bowled. Starc continues his trend of early breakthroughs, having dismissed Crawley twice for ducks in the first Test in Perth.
England Rally After Starc’s Early Strikes
England captain Ben Stokes decided to club first in the day-night hassle, a move that sounded parlous after Starc’s original assault.
Yet Crawley’s assured innings and the cooperation with Root have sustained the boat, showing the excursionists can hold their whim-whams under pressure.
From 5️⃣-2️⃣ to 9️⃣8️⃣-2️⃣
A brilliant fightback from Zak Crawley and Joe Root in the session pic.twitter.com/tPuQgIhmLg
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 4, 2025
Zak Crawley Leads England’s Fightback at the Gabba
In a surprise twist, Australia dropped expert incentive Nathan Lyon for the first home Test since 2012, concluding for a four-pronged confluence attack including Michael Neser.
With Usman Khawaja out due to injury, Travis Head stepped up to open, following his match-winning 123 in Perth. Josh Inglis slotted into Head’s usual middle-order position.
England, meanwhile, made a political change by bringing in spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks for Mark Wood, deferring their traditional four-paced attack.
The move paid off as Crawley and Root’s partnership weathered the early storm.
Australia currently lead the five-Test Ashes series 1-0 and will be confident in their Gabba fortress, where they have not lost to England since 1986.
With the series heating up, all eyes will be on Crawley and Root to see if they can continue England’s fightback in this crucial Ashes clash.
