The Ashes First Test: All the action following Day 2 at The Gabba as Head century makes headlines

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The Ashes First Test: All the action following Day 2 at The Gabba as Head century makes headlines image

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Ben Stokes

Australia will head to the crease on day two of the second Ashes Test full of confidence after blitzing England on the opening day of the series.

The visitors were skittled for 147 before rain eventually cut the day short prior to the Aussies starting their first innings.

Can Australia press their advantage or will England strike back?

Sporting News has all the latest day two updates, scores, squad news and weather updates in our live blog.

Australia v England - First Test LIVE day two updates and scores

Live score (End of Day 2) 

Team 1st Innings 2nd Innings
England  147   
Australia 7/343  

Current batters (end of Day 2) 

Australia 1st innings Score
Mitchell Starc 10* (24)
Travis Head 112* (95)

Live commentary and updates

STUMPS DAY 2

Great day by the Aussies overall despite some tough moments. Fantastic knock from Travis Head under pressure, and he will certainly be happy with his performance. David Warner made the most of his chances for 94 before getting out to a slower ball, while Marnus Labuschagne looked brilliant before getting greedy and playing a rank shot.

England will be searching for answers. They were ordinary in the field, have a couple of injury concerns and will be worried about the performance of Jack Leach, who went for 95 runs from just 11 overs. 

94th over: Head adds another three to his tally, before Jos Buttler drops a tough catch from a Starc inside edge. And that will be stumps for the day. 7/343 after 94. 

83rd over: Head takes another three runs off the over. 7/340 after 83. 

82nd over: Scary moment as Wood bowls a beamer that collects Head on the glove before catching him under the chin. Rest of the over is fine, but he leaks a boundary from Starc through gully off a thick edge. 7/337 after 82. 

81st over: CENTURY!!! Travis Head brings up his first Ashes ton with a boundary down the ground - an absolutely fantastic innings. Coming in with Australia in trouble, he has blasted his century off just 85 deliveries, putting plenty of pressure back on the English bowlers. Head has well and truly repaid the faith that the selectors put in him, with so much debate between himself and Usman Khawaja for a spot in the XI. 7/331 after 81. 

80th over: Head edging very close to a ton now, it's been a wonderful knock. Just a few runs off the over of Root, and his side will now take the second new ball. 7/320 after 80. 

79th over: Steady over from a brave Stokes, just three runs off it. 7/317 after 79. 

78th over: Head top-edges another one and picks up two off Root. Grabs another three and makes his way into the nervous 90s now. 7/314 after 78. 

"Travis Head - get to the hundred as quick as possible for a declaration," Mike Hussey said on Fox Cricket. 

"I would not want to be an English opening batsman and come out to face 20 minutes in fading light." 

77th over: Stokes continues, and after a couple of plays and misses, Head lets out an audible "oh you c**t" in frustration. God bless the stump mic! Just a couple of runs off this over. 7/307 after 77. 

76th over: WICKET!!! Root has hooked Leach and put himself back on, huge alpha move from the skipper but a fair decision. Cummins tries to turn one around the corner off the off-spinner, but hits it straight to leg-slip. 7/306 after 76. 

75th over: Stokes is somehow coming back on to bowl, despite being clearly hampered by this knee issue. He bowls a no-ball and the umpires actually decide to call this one without the help of 3rd umpire. Next ball, Head belts him down the ground for a boundary. Head goes again and top-edges one down to third man for another four. He is batting T20-style. 6/299 after 75. 

"Has anyone told him this is a Test match and he's not playing for the Adelaide Strikers," Shane Warne said on Fox Cricket. 

74th over: England are out of options with Stoke and Robinson injured, so they are forced to continue with Leach despite the spinner leaking 8 runs per over. It's hurting them massively, Head dispatches him for another maximum down the ground. Next ball, they take a quick single to mid-off and there's four overthrows. This is diabolical stuff for England now and they'll have to find a way through soon or they are going to be 1-0 down in the series. 6/289 after 74. 

73rd over: Robinson returns again, but he looks to have some hamstring tightness and is not sending them down anywhere near as quickly as he did earlier in the day. Cummins tucks one away for a couple behind square leg. Robinson leaves the field at the end of the over for some treatment. 

"That is slow and pedestrian," Shane Warne said on Fox Cricket. 

"His fitness has always been an issue later in the day. He is really struggling.

"They are not far off sticking a fork in him, he is cooked."

72nd over: Leach is tucked around the corner nicely by Head for a single, before a half-tracker on leg-stump is belted for a boundary after a misfield from Hameed. Next ball is down leg again and Head makes light work of it, bringing up another boundary. Leach has been very expensive and isn't looking likely at all, real tough day for him. 6/272 after 72. 

"That is poor bowling from your leading spinner," Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket. 

"That's giving a good player runs - a free hit two balls in a row.

"The new ball will be crucial. If Australia get another 36 runs, they get the lead up to 150."

71st over: Head brings up a half-century with a four through the off-side. A really good innings so far from the South Australian, who came in at a tough time but remained composed, aggressive and watchful. Wood tests out Cummins with a nice short ball, but it was well-evaded by the captain. 2/262 after 71. 

70th over: Leach back into the attack and immediately under the pump again, as Cummins gets off the mark with a shot over the top of cover for three. Head looks to come down the wicket, but plays a late cut for a boundary through the vacant slip region. He is looking very positive at the crease right now, but will want to go on with and cement his spot in the team for the rest of the series. 6/257 after 70. 

"A bit of cat and mouse there, he gets away with that Travis Head," Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket. 

"A bit of a streakish shot, but he was trying to hit it in that area."

69th over: One of the shots of the day from Head, slashing one through point for a boundary off Woakes. He grabs another two through the off-side to finish off the set. Australia now lead by over 100 runs in the first innings, but will want to keep building on that this evening and tomorrow. 6/249 after 69. 

68th over: Root continuing after drinks, looking to get through his overs quickly. Head continuing to play his trademark back-foot shots through the off-side and grabs a couple more. Head wisely grabs a single on the last ball of the over to keep himself on strike. 6/243 after 68. 

67th over: Wood back into the attack, replacing Woakes despite the wicket in his previous over. Head cops a nasty one on the forearm and is clearly in a bit of discomfort. He toughs it out, tucks one around the corner and grabs a single. The lads are having a quick drink now, but you'd assume Head might get some attention from the team doctors. 6/240 after 67. 

66th over: Root continues, and it's captain vs captain in Brisbane now. The right-arm off-spinner is coming around the wicket to Cummins with a leg-slip in play, and is sending them all down the leg-side. Interesting tactic if he continues with it, could be punished if he doesn't change his line. 6/239 after 66. 

65th over: WICKET!!! Woakes finally gets one. A shorter delivery to Carey is pulled but he couldn't clear the man at mid-wicket in Ollie Pope, who takes a nice grab. Things looked to be swinging back in Australia's favour after a few quick wickets, but the dismissal of Carey will now expose the tail-enders earlier than anticipated. Pat Cummins out to the crease now, batting for the first time as skipper - and he's got a big job to do now, needs to stick with Head after a strong start. 6/236 after 65. 

"He'll be livid with that," Simon Katich said on SEN Radio.

"It was there to be hit. He just didn't execute the shot."

64th over: Root brings himself into the attack for the first time and after a half-shout for LBW that hit the bat, Head takes him on and clears the rope with his first horn of the innings to finish the set. Aggressive start from the No.5 after plenty of debate over his spot in the team. 5/236 after 64. 

63rd over: Woakes continues to toil away, but Carey takes a few off the over. As Warne alluded to on commentary, England need to find something extra here - they can't allow these two to settle in. 5/229 after 63. 

62nd over: Despite a nagging left knee issue that he picked up fielding earlier in the innings, a very ginger-looking Ben Stokes returns to the attack for the first time since this morning. Almost immediately, Head pulls him for a boundary through mid-wicket and then cuts him through cover-point for another. It's clear that Stokes is nowhere near 100 per-cent fit right now and Head is feasting on the looser deliveries, grabbing another four on the final ball of the over. 5/224 after 62. 

"They've got to find something special," Shane Warne said on Fox Cricket. 

"I don't think Stokes can get another over, as much as he tried and I admire it.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see Root I reckon."

61st over: Carey sees out the over of Woakes, another maiden for him. 5/212 after 61. 

60th over: Carey gets off the mark with a boundary down the ground, before playing a similar shot the next ball for three. Head plays one through mid-wicket and they run four, not something you see a lot of obviously. Good shots from both men and a good over for the Aussies. 5/212 after 60. 

59th over: Woakes back into the attack, and he gets Head to play and miss off a lovely pill. Maiden over. 5/201 after 59. 

58th over: Robinson is able to catch the edge of Head's bat, as all of Australia simultaneously hold their collective breath - luckily, it found the gap and rolled away for a boundary. Another off the edge later in the over falls in front of the fielder. before Head almost chops on attempting to leave. Intensity has gone through the roof in Brisbane - the big quicks from England have their tails up now. 5/201 after 58. 

57th over: Wood is welcoming Alex Carey to Test cricket, digging a couple in and sending one straight past his nose. Another drunken moron enters the field - WHERE IS SAM KERR?!? Anyway, good maiden over from the quick. 5/196 after 57. 

56th over: ANOTHER WICKET!!! Cameron Green is out for a golden duck, leaving one straight onto his stumps off the bowling of Robinson. A collapse occurring before our very eyes at The Gabba, incredible scenes considering how comfortable Australia were looking earlier. Robinson misses out on a hat-trick, but he has just turned this game on its head. 5/196 after 57. 

56th over: WICKET!!! Robinson gets his man, as Warner chips one off a slower ball to Stokes at mid-off. He misses out on a century in an innings filled with chances, as it finally comes to an end on 94 for The Bull. 4/195 after 56.2.

55th over: Wood resumes after the break as Travis Head gets off the mark. 3/195 after 55. 

TEA BREAK

Nice little fight-back late there from England, even if it was off the back of two poor shots from Smith and Labuschagne. The latter will be extremely disappointed in his dismissal to Leach, who wasn't threatening him at all. Marnus got a little greedy after hitting a maximum and wanted to take the left-arm ortho on again, and has now thrown away an Ashes century on his home track because he was looking near-perfect before that shot. 

Warner is closing in on a century, and it's been a very tempered innings from the power-hitter, striking just over 50. He hasn't been afraid to leave the ball, especially off the bowling of Robinson and Wood, who have looked the best of the English attack so far today. 

54th over:  Another four through the slips cordon for Warner, who moves further into the nervous 90s right before tea. 3/193 after 54. 

53rd over:  WICKET!!! Smith hits a lovely off-drive for a boundary, but nicks off two balls later as Wood gets his first wicket. A bit of a lazy shot from the No.4 and he will probably be disappointed with that right before tea. On the flip side, a well-earned wicket for Wood, who has toiled well all day and bowled with great pace. 3/189 after 53. 

52nd over:  Robinson back on now to replace Leach, who has gone for 7.75 runs per over so far in the first innings. Warner plays a loose shot for a play-and-miss, clearly not going as well against Robinson. Another maiden for the quick, gets back into his work nicely after a break. 2/185 after 52. 

51st over:  REVIEW! Wood traps Smith in front of the stumps, but it looked high to the naked-eye and was given not out by the on-field umpire. Root sends it upstairs, but it was pitching outside the line of off-stump so the initial decision stands. England have burned a review there to continue a tough day in the field, but it was a good piece of bowling from Wood. Smith was almost ran out the very next ball, but a poor throw misses the stumps by a mile. 2/185 after 51. 

50th over:  Warner again sweeps Leach for a boundary off a ball on middle and leg. Outside of that one mistake from Marnus, this has been unimaginative bowling and field placements for the spinner. Smith charges down and skews one wildly over point, but it lands safely for three. 2/183 after 50. 

"If you keep bowling there, you're going to pay the price," Waugh said.

"I don't like the field - he is just bowling for a mistake, that's all he is doing.

"To be bowling like that on the second day of a series, that's a bad look for me. I'd prefer to see him attack off-stump or outside off-stump."

49th over:  Wood is back into the attack, but he over-pitches to Warner, who creams it through point for another boundary. 2/175 after 49. 

48th over:  WICKET!!! Labuschagne belts Leach down the ground for a maximum off the first ball of the over, but the next ball he tries to go again and plays an ugly shot to backward point. Steve Smith arrives at the crease, has a look at one and then charges down and whips Leach for a boundary through the leg-side. Rash shot, but he got away with it. 2/170 after 48.

"Possibly a lack of respect for Jack Leach from Marnus Labuschagne," Mark Waugh said on  Fox Cricket. 

"They finally get some luck England. That was probably the only way they were going to get a wicket, with a loose shot. A little lack of respect." 

47th over:  Stokes is still looking very ginger in the field, as he chased a nice punch down the ground from Warner. Plenty of questions being asked by Warne and Lee on commentary surrounding the English tactics, and the seamers not bowling around the wicket to the left-hander. Warner throws that bat at one outside off from Woakes for a couple. 1/160 after 47. 

46th over:  Leach is swept by Warner for a boundary - far too straight from the spinner and easy work for The Bull. Six runs off it, really struggling here England. 1/156 after 46. 

"They look a bit flat...there are easy singles being picked off here," Brett Lee said on  Fox Cricket. 

45th over:  Australia hit the lead through a hook from Warner for two, losing just one wicket in the process. This is light work for the hosts. 1/150 after 45. 

44th over:  Warner turns one around the corner for a single off Leach, before Marnus comes down the wicket and hits him through point for a couple. Another couple of singles to finish off, and it's really smart batting from this pair. Good comeback these past two overs from Leach as well after a very tough first spell. 

43rd over:  Woakes bowling tight, but the Aussies aren't looking to take any risks. Nothing is really happening for the visitors, and they need to perhaps be a little bit more inventive. They need a wicket desperately. Players taking a drinks break now. 1/141 after 43. 

"Maybe it's worth Joe Root himself trying to take a wicket," Shane Warne said on  Fox Cricket. 

"They've got to try something. Maybe Leach and Root, give the quickies a rest." 

42nd over:  Leach back into the attack now, brave move by England. Warner attempts a reverse sweep but misses completely. 1/141 after 42. 

41st over:  Labuschagne grabs two and then flicks one for a boundary, cracking shot. Six off the over from Woakes. 1/139 after 41. 

40th over:  Warner gets sick of leaving and blocking Robinson out and smokes a drive through the covers for a boundary. Australia win that over, but Robinson looking good with the ball - really good Test match cricket and a good battle at the moment. 1/133 after 40. 

39th over:  Woakes back into the attack now after the security cleared the field of any drunken idiots. Both batters are leaving the ball really well and waiting patiently for a loose delivery. Australia clearly in control, so they can afford to wait it out and allow England to make mistakes or panic into anything unnecessary. Maiden over from Woakes. 1/128 after 39. 

Pitch invader time. Security flock onto the field, but we probably needed football star Sam Kerr here to take him down. It doesn't matter if you're playing Test cricket or down at Coogee Oval, there will always be that one bloke who has too many mid-strengths and wants to act the clown. Back to the cricket, please. 

38th over:  Robinson continuing to dot up the Aussie batters here. In his first game Down Under, he now has six maidens from his first 11 overs. 1/128 after 38. 

37th over:  Wood continuing to ball shorter stuff, especially to Warner. The umpire calls one of them as a wide however. The Bull pierces one through the off-side behind point for another four. A missed run-out opportunity at short-leg from Hameed after Warner slippped and lost his bat to finish the over. Nothing is going England's way. 1/128 after 37. 

36th over:  Really strong over from Robinson, forcing some tight leaves from Marnus. Another maiden from the only wicket-taker so far for England. 1/123 after 36.

35th over:  A shorter ball from Wood is dispatched by Warner for a boundary behind square. 1/123 after 35. 

34th over:  Maiden over from Robinson. Stokes is out on the field despite an earlier injury scare, with England confirming it as a knee issue. 1/118 after 34. 

33rd over: Wood back on after lunch, and he is keeping the batters guessing. Warner plays a loose shot outside off in an attempt to reach a half-century. He gets there later in the over with a punch through cover, bringing up his 31st Test fifty. He will want to double that now and make England pay for their mistakes. 1/118 after 33. 

32nd over:  Back from lunch now and it will be Robinson starting off, who will be looking for his second wicket and a big breakthrough for England. Another chance goes begging, as Warner edges one straight to Rory Burns at 2nd slip, but he drops a regulation catch. Tough couple of days for the opening batter, who was out for a duck yesterday on the very first ball. 1/115 after 32. 

LUNCH BREAK: 

Really tough first session for England in the field, highlighted by the Stokes no-ball that would have dismissed Warner. The three overs of spin really allowed Labuschagne and Warner to get going and play some strokes, and it will be tough for Leach to come back on while these two are at the crease. Joe Root will be disappointed not to have another two wickets in the bag heading into lunch now. 

31st over:  Wood back on for an over before lunch, replacing Leach after a horror first spell. Australia take a few off it, and will head into the break well on top now. 1/113 after 31. 

30th over:  Labuschagne cuts Woakes for a boundary, bringing up his half-century. Stokes has attempted to field another ball and he looks in real trouble here, possibly with a calf or hamstring issue. Things starting to get ugly for the visitors. 1/110 after 30. 

29th over:  Another slap through the off-side from Marnus, before taking Leach down-town for a six. Labuschagne belts another and it's misfielded by Stokes, who appears to have picked up an injury in doing so. The spinner is struggling early on here for England. Australia have brought up 100 runs now, with the current batters starting to find their groove. 1/105 after 29. 

"A number of Leach's balls aren't going on to hit the stumps," O'Keeffe said on  Fox Cricket. 

"Labuschagne is waiting for that cover-drive, and Leach may have to change his line." 

28th over:  A swinging delivery from Woakes dies after it goes past Warner and Jos Buttler is unable to stop it, adding an extra four to Australia's tally. Maiden for the bowler. 1/92 after 28. 

27th over:  Bang, there it is. Warner goes over the top and sends Leach for two big horns straight down the ground. The Bull has been patient, perhaps a little scratchy, but he's got himself facing a spinner now and we could be on for a show. Labuschagne joins the party, slapping one through the off-side for a boundary. 1/88 after 27. 

26th over:  Woakes back into the attack. Some lovely bowling as Warner plays and misses, still appears to be a bit in this deck. England really need a wicket heading into lunch, even if neither batter is looking completely in control. 1/71 after 26. 

"Root is searching for this second wicket, and he is rotating his quicks pretty well," Kerry O'Keeffe said on  Fox Cricket. 

25th over:  Jack Leach into the attack now with his left-arm orthos. Warner looking to go after the spinner here, which is no surprise - especially with a few men around the bat. 1/69 after 25. 

24th over:  Over-pitched delivery from Stokes is punched for three by Labuschagne through the off-side, before Warner cuts one for three more. Marnus smokes another one through the cover region, this time travelling all the way to the boundary. Poor over from Stokes and you can see the fiery all-rounder is getting frustrated. Lads grabbing a quick drink, half an hour until lunch now. 1/68 after 24. 

23rd over:  Warner chips a shorter one over short mid-wicket for a couple. Loose ball from Wood is tucked away off the pads of Labuschagne for three. Spin could be coming on soon, you'd have to think. 1/57 after 23. 

22nd over:  Another half-chance, Labuschagne hits one around the corner that falls just short of the man at 45. They take a few off the over of Stokes and bring up fifty runs for the innings. 1/50 after 22. 

21st over:  Another maiden from Wood. 1/46 after 21.

20th over:  Great shot all the way to the rope from Warner off a full delivery. Robinson has let him off the hook a little bit there, England had been building some pressure with plenty of dots before that boundary. 1/46 after 20. 

19th over:  Wood back into the attack after fixing his boot. He has looked really likely in his few overs so far, bowling with great pace, moving the ball and throwing in the odd shorter ball. Another maiden. 1/42 after 19. 

18th over:  England bowling well, but just can't get this wicket - some through bad luck, some through bad cricket. Robinson bowls a maiden, Warner plays and misses at a couple. 1/42 after 18. 

"You can drop your head easily, but you've just got to hang in there," Mark Waugh said on  Fox Cricket. 

"They are bowling well enough. 

17th over:  Stokes continuing, looking good so far but bowls another no-ball. 1/32 after 17. 

Umpires have called for drinks. The no-ball from Stokes was a huge blow for England, really disappointing stuff for them.  Channel 7  picked up that he had already bowled four no-balls to Warner prior to the wicket. 

16th over:  Robinson back on now - frequent bowling changes from England, similar to the Aussies yesterday. Warner edges another one through the cordon for a boundary. Not looking very comfortable, but they are sticking in there. 1/41 after 16. 

15th over:  Tight but aggressive running between the wickets. 1/36 after 15. 

14th over:  It's all happening now at The Gabba - Labuschagne edges one that falls just short of Joe Root at slip. He grabs a few later in the over with a pull shot off Woakes that plugged in the outfield. 1/34 after 14. 

13th over:  DRAMA!!! Stokes knocks Warner over, but the video replay shows a clear no-ball. Awful moment for England. That is the last thing they needed and now Bull gets a second chance. 1/31 after 14. 

13th over:  Bowling change for England - Ben Stokes into the attack now. The all-rounder didn't add much to his side's low total, so he will be looking to make an impact with ball in hand. Stokes immediately creates a chance, taking the edge of Warner - unfortunately it went just wide of 3rd slip for a boundary. 

12th over:  Warner pushes nicely down the ground for three. Woakes over-pitches to Marnus, who takes a couple more. 1/26 after 12. 

11th over:  Loose stroke from Warner for a play-and-miss, before copping one on the body. Bull is struggling to keep his composure, playing at a wide one again later in the over. Wood is bowling reasonably well and is probably thinking he's half a chance of a pole here. Warner drops and runs for a single. 1/21 after 11. 

10th over:  Woakes back into the attack now from the other end. Marnus takes off for a quick single but Warner sends him back, which was the right call. Maiden over. 1/20 after 10. 

9th over:  Warner punches one to cover that was on the up, but it falls short of the fielder. Wood isn't looking to bowl too many full deliveries early in his spell - a nice quick bouncer in the middle of his second over. Warner chases a wide one but misses to end a maiden. 0/20 after 9. 

8th over:  Marnus guides one through the cordon for a boundary to get off the mark - not the most convincing shot, but he will take it. Robinson pitches one up and Marnus drives it for another four, classy shot. 1/20 after 8. 

7th over:  Early bowling change - Mark Wood into the attack to add some pace, and he hits 145km/hr first ball. Warner with another quick single, Marnus sees out the over. Wood looking sharp early, clearing 150 clicks with relative ease it seems. 1/11 after 7. 

6th over:  WICKET!!! Harris nicks off with an ordinary shot outside off, caught by Dawid Malan at 3rd slip. He pushed at a ball from Robinson that he could have left. He never looked too comfortable out there, and now he's gone early in his first Test back in the Australian side. Marnus Labuschagne out to the crease and looking as animated as ever, with a few ultra-aggressive leaves. Wicket-maiden from the big English quick. 1/10 after 6. 

"It was a nothing sort of shot," Warne said on  Fox Cricket. 

"If you're not going to leave them, you can't push at it. If you're going to have a go at it, throw the kitchen sink at it." 

5th over:  Warner times a lovely off-drive for a boundary off the bowling of Woakes. He digs a short one in but Warner evades it. England not looking overly threatening to The Bull right now. 0/10 after 5. 

4th over:  Bit of discussion from Warne/O'Keeffe on commentary about the pace of Robinson, who is only sending them down in the mid-high 120s. Robinson not bowling around the wicket to left-handers, which gave them so much success in the previous Ashes series - particularly through Broad. Warner takes an easy single to mid-off later in the over. 0/6 after 4. 

"He (Robinson) is the traditional English seamer...he doesn't give you much rubbish," Shane Warne said on  Fox Cricket. 

"He is usually a bit quicker than this though." 

3rd over:  Woakes produces a nice fuller ball and Warner plays and misses. The left-hander is looking to get off strike, showing his usual intent - one of the best runners between wickets in world cricket. Just the one off the over from Woakes, bit more threatening this time around. 0/5 after 3. 

2nd over:  Ollie Robinson opening up from the other end. A play-and-miss from Harris off the first ball of the over garners a shout from the slips, but he was nowhere near it. Another play-and-miss again later in the over. Maiden first-up from Robinson. 0/4 after 2. 

"He got Virat Kohli a few times...he's got a few big scalps under his belt Ollie Robinson," Kerry O'Keeffe said on  Fox Cricket. 

"He's looking for some more here." 

1st over:  Chris Woakes will take the new ball for England in the absence of Anderson and Broad. David Warner takes a quick single off the very first ball, before copping one on the back from an errant throw. Marcus Harris gets his series underway with a drive through cover and point for two. 0/4 after 1. 

10.30am (AEDT):  We're ready for the second day at The Gabba. David Warner and Marcus Harris will kick things off for Australia. England are without Stuart Broad and James Anderson - will those selection decisions come back to bite them? We're about to find out. 

9.45am (AEDT):  Weather is looking reasonable for now, with play expected to commence in 45 minutes. 

9.05am (AEDT): Brisbane's weather report on Wednesday suggests there is a high chance of showers later on in the afternoon, with the maximum temperature a steamy 32°C.

9.00am (AEDT):  Play is scheduled to begin at 10.30am AEDT (9.30am local) - which is 30 minutes earlier than usual to make up for the game time lost to rain on day one.

Australia v England - First Test scorecard

First innings batting - Australia

Batter Status Runs Balls 4s 6s
David Warner c. Stokes b. Robinson 94 176 11 2
Marcus Harris c. Malan b. Robinson 3 17 0 0
Marnus Labuschagne c. Wood b. Leach 74 117 6 2
Steve Smith c. Buttler b. Wood 12 19 2 0
Travis Head Not out 112 95 12 2
Cameron Green b. Robinson 0 1 0 0
Alex Carey c. Pope b. Woakes 12 32 1 0
Pat Cummins (c) c. Hameed b. Root 12 27 0 0
Mitchell Starc Not out 10 24 1 0
Nathan Lyon Yet to bat        
Josh Hazlewood Yet to bat        
Total 7/343        

First innings bowling - England

Bowler Overs Maidens Runs Wickets
Chris Woakes 20 7 56 1
Ollie Robinson 18 8 48 3
Mark Wood 20 4 57 1
Ben Stokes 9 0 50 0
Jack Leach 11 0 95 1
Joe Root 6 0 29 1

First innings batting - England 147 

Batter Status Runs Balls 4s 6s
Rory Burns b. Mitchell Starc 0 1 0 0
Haseeb Hameed c. Smith b. Cummins 25 75 3 0
Dawid Malan c. Carey b. Hazlewood 6 8 1 0
Joe Root (c) c. Warner b. Hazlewood 0 9 0 0
Ben Stokes c. Labuschagne b. Cummins 5 21 1 0
Ollie Pope c. Hazlewood b. Green 35 79 2 0
Jos Buttler c. Carey b. Starc 39 58 5 0
Chris Woakes c. Hazlewood b. Cummins 21 24 4 0
Ollie Robinson c. Carey b. Cummins 0 3 0 0
Mark Wood c. Harris b. Cummins 8 15 1 0
Jack Leach Not out 2 7 0 0
Total 147        

First innings bowling - Australia

Bowler Overs Maidens Runs Wickets
Mitchell Starc 12 1 35 2
Josh Hazlewood 13 4 42 2
Pat Cummins 13.1 2 38 5
Nathan Lyon 9 2 21 0
Cameron Green 3 1 6 1

Who is in Australia and England's Ashes XI?

Australia:  David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

England:  Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Jack Leach 

How to watch the Ashes in Australia?

Kayo Sports, Foxtel, and Channel 7 will all be broadcasting the five Tests between Australia and England, with an exciting summer of cricket expected.

Fans can sign up for Kayo, purchase the sports pack on Foxtel, or watch Channel 7's free-to-air broadcast.

SPECIAL KAYO OFFER FOR NEW CUSTOMERS: Get two months of Kayo Basic for just $5

Kayo will be simulcasting Fox Cricket's broadcast of the action, and Channel 7 will have their own coverage.

ABC Radio will also be covering the commentary for listeners of the game.

What's the five-day weather forecast for the Gabba?

The  Bureau of Meteorology 's 7-day forecast has outlined the following chance of rain for each day of the first Test. 

Thursday December 9 (Day Two) - Partly cloudy, with a high (80%) chance of showers. 4-10mm of rain.

Friday December 10 (Day Three) -  Partly cloudy, with a high (70%) chance of showers. 2-10mm of rain. 

Saturday December 11 (Day Four) - Partly cloudy, with a medium (50%) chance of showers. 0-3mm of rain.

Sunday December 12 (Day Five) -  Partly cloudy, with a medium (50%) chance of showers. 0-2mm of rain.

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