Brisbane, December 4:
England walk into the second Ashes Test at the Gabba staring down the barrel after a bruising defeat in the series opener, with injuries, bold selection calls and hostile day-night conditions compounding their challenge against a ruthless Australian side.
With the pink ball, floodlights and Brisbane humidity expected to aid fast bowlers, the tourists’ already fragile batting line-up faces one of its sternest examinations in recent years. History is firmly against them — Australia have lost just twice at the Gabba since 1987.
England’s task has become steeper with the loss of express pacer Mark Wood, whose recurring knee problem may have ended his tour. His replacement, Will Jacks, is a surprise inclusion as the lone spinner, a move that has raised questions about England’s attacking balance and depth of bowling.
Skipper Ben Stokes admitted Jacks may be used to control overs rather than hunt wickets — a telling reflection of England’s limited options. The decision also leaves England’s batting light, with a long tail stretching the pressure further onto the top six.
That pressure is already immense. Zak Crawley is under heavy scrutiny after a pair of failures in the first Test, while senior batters Joe Root and Harry Brook have been criticised for loose shot selection. England’s hopes may hinge on showing rare discipline in conditions that punish even slight errors.
Australia, meanwhile, remain without regular captain Pat Cummins and strike bowler Josh Hazlewood, but their bowling unit is expected to remain unchanged after dominating in the opening encounter. Brendan Doggett is set to continue after an impressive debut.
The only probable alteration lies at the top of the order, where Usman Khawaja’s back spasm could force a shuffle. Travis Head, fresh from a match-winning blitz in Perth, is being considered as a makeshift opener — a move that could open the door for an extra all-rounder or batter in the middle order.
Conditions are expected to shift dramatically across the five days. While some runs may be available early in daylight, batting becomes progressively treacherous under lights. Recent statistics show a steep decline in batting averages across later innings in Australian day-night Tests.
With Australia’s fortress record at the Gabba and England battling both form and fitness, this second Test shapes as a defining moment in the 2025 Ashes. A defeat here would leave England fighting not for the urn, but for pride.
