Head leads Australia's strong reply after Root ton takes England to 384

Joe Root scored his 41st Test ton but yet again, as in most of this Ashes, Australia ensured England didn't get into a commanding position. Travis Head (91*) and Marnus Labuschagne (48) put on a hefty 105-run partnership for the second wicket as the hosts ended Day 2 adrift of England's 384 by 218 runs, at 166 for 2. It was Root's 24th century since 2021 and has now put him level on Test hundreds with Ricky Ponting on 41. Only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45) are in front of him.

England resumed with Harry Brook and Root at 211 for 3 after only 45 overs were possible on Day 1. Scott Boland began with probing lines and picked up Brook in the third over of the day for 84. Mitchell Starc continued to have the better of Ben Stokes dismissing him for an 11-ball duck, the 14th dismissal of the English captain against the left-armer. An edge by Jamie Smith fell short off second slip as Australia were heaping the pressure on the visitors.

While Root moved into the nineties, Jamie began to accelerate through the gears beginning with a pull off Starc for a maximum. A couple of boundaries ensued in the subsequent overs as England moved past 250. After a couple of streaky shots falling short of the slip cauldron, Root brought up his second Test ton of the series to a standing ovation.

Jamie had a reprieve after drinks as Cameron Green overstepped after the batter hit one straight to the cover fielder, and he continued to slap deliveries to the fence with disdain while Root showcased his flicks through mid-wicket. Running out of ideas, Steve Smith turned to Labuschagne for a short-ball ploy which returned dividends immediately as Jamie made room but played his hop shot straight to Boland in the deep, breaking the 94-run stand on the stroke of Lunch.

After Lunch, Will Jacks began with a top-edge that flew for six while Root scored a boundary through gully to move into the 140s. Jacks hit a couple of quick boundaries before Root brought up his 150 - his 17th score of 150 or more. After drinks, Michael Neser picked up Jacks while Brydon Carse nicked behind off Green to Alex Carey. Neser then took a stunner off his own bowling as Australia finally saw the back of Root before the Queenslander picked up his fourth of the innings, with the wicket of Josh Tongue two balls later. England lost their last four wickets for nine runs to fold for 384.

Travis Head and Jake Weatherald were quiet in the first few overs but broke the shackles when Matthew Potts conceded three boundaries in an over to Head. Potts continued to be loose with the ball as Weatherald hit him for two successive boundaries in his second over. The two openers brought up the 50-run stand in the 10th over when the lights also came on as it got slightly dark. Tongue was impressive but would bowl one loosener in his over which would race away to the boundary.

After drinks Stokes picked up Weatherald with a full delivery angling onto leg-stump, which the batter fell over and was rapped on the pads. It was similar to the way he got out in Perth in the first Test. Head and Labuschagne then put on a near flawless partnership for the next 20 overs. They pounced on full deliveries with drives through the covers and even got hold of ramp shots above the slip cauldron to the fence. Stokes had a few words to say to Labuschagne as well before the duo brought up the 100-run stand. The partnership was broken when Labuschagne tried to play an expansive drive through the offside which was nicked and pocketed by Jacob Bethell at gully.

Head moved into the nineties while Neser who came out as nightwatch, batted 15 deliveries before being hit on the forearm by Stokes before a slight drizzle led to Stumps on Day 2.

Brief Scores: England 384 (Joe Root 160, Harry Brook 84; Michael Neser 4-60, Scott Boland 2-85) lead Australia 166 for 2 (Travis Head 91*, Marnus Labuschagne 48; Ben Stokes 2-30) by 218 runs