Australia looked ready to dominate the second Test at the Gabba, but one chaotic over changed everything. What seemed like the perfect chance to stretch their position instead became a moment that allowed England back into the match. Even though the score later showed Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test, the day felt like a missed opportunity.
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Momentum Shifts After Dramatic Over
England’s first-innings total of 334 had raised questions about whether it was enough. Before play began, one former Australian player even suggested it was a day to “cash in.” And at first, Australia did just that. Smith and Green looked set, the score was building quickly, and it genuinely felt like Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test would soon turn into something much bigger.
At 291 for 3, after strong knocks from Jake Weatherald (72) and Marnus Labuschagne (65), Australia were cruising. England’s bowlers were working with a 57-over-old pink ball that wasn’t offering much help. It looked like the match would drift away from England and strongly favour Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test.
But Brydon Carse suddenly flipped the script. Switching ends, he bowled a short ball called wide, then produced a surprise full delivery. Cameron Green, already backing away too far, couldn’t reach it. The ball smashed into his stumps, and fans would later remember that wicket as a key turning point during the Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test storyline.
Just two balls later, Will Jacks pulled off a stunning one-handed catch at backward square leg to remove Steven Smith. The momentum that had been with Australia was suddenly fading — the kind of shift that made Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test feel far less secure.
Alex Carey, who had been dropped in the gully earlier in the over, and Michael Neser then tried to steady things. Their stand helped Australia reach 378 for 6, creating the Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test advantage. But the general feeling remained that much more was possible.
Weatherald Leads The Charge Before England Hit Back
Despite the chaos later, Jake Weatherald’s innings was one of the most controlled parts of the day. Playing only his second Test, he showed calmness, precision, and maturity. He started scoring quickly while Travis Head struggled at the other end, and early signs suggested the Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test would be built on a big opening stand.
Weatherald struck crisp boundaries through cover, square leg, and point, scoring 28 of the first 36 Australian runs. He later said he was proud of how well he left the ball, not just how well he attacked — an approach that helped shape the Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test progress.
After drinks, he uppercut Carse for six and soon reached his maiden Test fifty off just 45 balls. A hundred seemed possible until Jofra Archer surprised him with a rare full delivery that trapped him lbw. Losing him at that moment slowed the pace of the Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test charge.
Australia’s batters then continued a pattern of missed chances. Six of the top seven scored between 23 and 72 but couldn’t convert. Even so, the aggressive style helped them score at a rapid 5.17 runs per over — their fastest in any innings of at least 60 overs — another factor behind the Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test figure.
As the match heads into the next day, the Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test advantage still gives them control. But everyone watching knows it could have been much more. This Ashes series has already been full of surprises, and with the Australia 44 Run Lead Gabba Test still shaping the contest, fans are expecting another unpredictable day ahead.
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source: ESPNCrickinfo
