Wayward spells and five drops swing Gabba Test Australia's way

The story of the second day at the Gabba was written less by brilliance than by error. Marnus Labuschagne and Will Jacks each produced a highlight-reel catch, but it was England's five dropped chances that defined the proceedings. Only once has a team spilled more in a single day's play in Australia. The hosts made full use of the reprieves, piling on 378 runs, the highest total ever in a single day of a day-night Test.

The day began with Australia wrapping up England's innings on 334, adding just nine to the overnight tally.

Travis Head, opening in the absence of Usman Khawaja, edged an unplayable delivery from Jofra Archer early, only for wicketkeeper Jamie Smith to spill the chance. Encouraged by the Gabba bounce, England's bowlers alternated between too short and too full, and Jake Weatherald cashed in on his way to a maiden Test fifty. The pair added 77 in just 13 overs.

Brydon Carse removed Head, but Marnus Labuschagne settled quickly, adding 69 off 76 balls for the second wicket. Australia raced to 125/1 by the 20-over mark, the second-highest score at that stage in a first innings of a Test in Australia.

Jofra Archer sent down 20 overs, his second-heaviest workload in a day, with only Weatherald's wicket—a searing yorker—to show for it. He should have had Michael Neser, but Carse put down a chance at cover.

Labuschagne and Steve Smith, both reaching half-centuries, added another 50 for the third wicket before Ben Stokes had Labuschagne caught behind in the twilight. That dismissal triggered a burst of aggression: Cameron Green was bowled by Carse, while Smith fell to a pull intercepted mid-air by Will Jacks.

Josh Inglis and Alex Carey steadied the innings until Stokes bowled Inglis, but England's catching under lights let them down. Ben Duckett shelled two chances at gully, while Carey received another reprieve at slip from Joe Root. Labuschagne noted in an interview that catching under lights can be "tricky," but that hardly explains England putting down four chances in the session.

By stumps, Australia had raced along at over five runs per over. More than 60 percent of their runs came behind the wicket, a reflection of the lengths and lines England persisted with. Australia finished the day with a 44-run lead, four wickets in hand, and a well-set Alex Carey at the crease.

Brief Scores: England 334 trail Australia 378/6 by 44 runs.