Big Update: England Shot Out for 334 in Second Ashes Test — Starc Makes History
England’s batting lineup collapsed on Day 2 of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba as they were dismissed for 334 runs, with Australia’s Mitchell Starc producing a historic spell that not only crushed England’s hopes of a massive total but also etched his name in the record books. England resumed their first innings at 325 for nine but managed to add only nine more runs before being bowled out, continuing a trend of early-morning collapses that has haunted them throughout the series.
Jofra Archer, who remained England’s last key hope for pushing the score beyond 350, added just a few additional runs before falling for 38. His dismissal came courtesy of Marnus Labuschagne, who completed a sharp catch to end England’s resistance. Joe Root, however, remained unbeaten on a magnificent 138, showing remarkable composure and control even as wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Despite his brilliance, England’s overall effort fell short of expectations on a pitch where they had hoped to capitalize after winning the toss.
The day belonged to Mitchell Starc, who delivered a sensational six-wicket haul and overtook Pakistan legend Wasim Akram’s record for the most Test wickets by a left-arm fast bowler. Starc’s 415th wicket came at a crucial stage, removing Harry Brook for 31 and triggering yet another slide in the English lineup. His pace, swing, and accuracy proved too much for England’s middle and lower order. Apart from Starc’s six wickets, Michael Neser, Scott Boland, and Brendan Doggett chipped in with one wicket each, providing strong support in dismantling England’s innings. On Day 1, England had already lost key wickets early after choosing to bat first.
Duckett fell for a golden duck in the opening over, continuing his struggles against the new ball. Ollie Pope followed soon after, departing for a duck in the third over, which exposed England to early pressure. Zak Crawley and Joe Root then stitched together an impressive 117-run partnership, stabilizing the innings and steering England toward a competitive total. Crawley looked confident and fluent before being dismissed for 76 by Neser, a breakthrough that shifted momentum back toward Australia.
England’s middle order, which showed promise but lacked consistency, faltered against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack. Harry Brook’s 31 ended when a rising Starc delivery forced an edge, securing the historic wicket that allowed Starc to surpass Wasim Akram’s long-standing record. Ben Stokes scored 19 but couldn’t convert his start into a big innings. Jamie Smith contributed nothing as he fell for zero, further weakening England’s position. Will Jacks added another 19 before being dismissed, while Gus Atkinson managed only four runs.
Brydon Carse became yet another batter to fall without troubling the scorers, leaving Joe Root stranded without support. Root’s unbeaten century was a masterclass in temperament and shot selection, showcasing why he remains England’s most dependable Test batter. His ability to withstand pressure and rebuild the innings was in sharp contrast to the collapse unfolding around him. Had England’s lower order contributed even modest runs, their total could have been far more challenging for Australia.
At the close of Day 1, England stood at 325 for nine, leaving analysts expecting an early finish the following morning—and Australia’s bowlers did not disappoint. The swift end to the innings on Day 2 strengthened Australia’s grip on the match. The Gabba surface offered enough movement to trouble the batters, but good shot-making was still possible, as Root demonstrated. The Australian bowling unit maintained relentless pressure, using attacking field placements and exploiting England’s technical lapses. The visitors’ inability to handle the bounce and movement, particularly from Starc, became the defining theme of their innings.
The innings also highlighted a worrying pattern for England: top-order instability, insufficient middle-order partnerships, and lack of lower-order resilience. These issues could prove costly as the series progresses, especially on Australian pitches known for their pace and bounce. Australia now take the psychological and tactical advantage, buoyed by Starc’s record-breaking performance and their ability to restrict England to a below-par total despite Root’s heroics. The hosts will now look to build a strong first-innings lead and put England under pressure once again.
Conclusion – England all out for 334 Ashes Test
England’s total of 334 reflects a mixture of brilliance from Joe Root and repeated collapses from the rest of the lineup. Mitchell Starc’s historic six-wicket haul not only swung the momentum in Australia’s favour but also made this innings one of the defining moments of the series.
With Australia in command and England relying heavily on Root, the remainder of the Test promises high drama as both sides fight to gain control of the Ashes battle.
