Australia ended Day Two of the day-night Second Ashes Test firmly in control, capitalizing on a lacklustre bowling and fielding performance by England. The hosts are now positioned at 291 for 3, trailing England's first-innings total of 334 by just 43 runs.
Opening batter Jake Weatherald emerged from Travis Head's shadow to play a pivotal role, setting an aggressive tone with a rollicking maiden Test half-century (72 off 78 balls). His 59 runs in the first session put England's quicks under pressure.
England's bowling attack was undisciplined, conceding an expensive 5.17 runs per over so far in the innings, a stark contrast to their hostile pace in the First Test. The fielding was equally sloppy, with five dropped catches aiding Australia.
Australia recorded 50-plus stands for the first four wickets—a feat not achieved in a decade. After Weatherald's dismissal, Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith continued the charge, both reaching half-centuries (Labuschagne also became the first batter to 1000 runs in day-night Tests).
England briefly rallied when Brydon Carse dismissed both Cameron Green and Smith in the same over with a short-ball tactic. Skipper Ben Stokes later bowled Josh Inglis. However, the fightback was curtailed as Alex Carey and Michael Neser benefited from the dropped catches to establish an unbroken 49-run partnership.
England's first innings concluded early on Day Two at 334, largely thanks to a momentum-swinging last-wicket stand of 70 runs between Joe Root (finishing unbeaten on 138) and Jofra Archer (38).
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