England delivered a disappointing performance with the ball but managed to remain in contention during the Second Test.
The bowlers struggled with their accuracy, allowing the opposition to score numerous free boundaries.
Joe Root was among those who dropped catches at The GabbaCredit: Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesBen Duckett missed two catch opportunitiesCredit: EPA
Brydon Carse somehow took three wickets, while Will Jacks made an exceptional catch to dismiss a key player.
However, England also dropped five chances, with Jamie Smith, Carse, and others being responsible for these errors.
By the end of day two, Australia had scored 378-6, taking a 44-run lead, and the home team was in control.
England has not lost hope of leveling the series at 1-1, but they will likely be batting under lights on day three with a relatively new ball, which could pose challenges.
The poor bowling and careless fielding were particularly frustrating following the excitement of Joe Root’s first century in Australia the previous day.
England's bowlers have had limited match practice recently, which may have affected their performance. Bowlers need to bowl regularly to maintain fitness, rhythm, and confidence.
By the end of a long day in the heat and humidity of Brisbane, they appeared exhausted.
For most of the match, England's bowlers bowled too short, leading to a flood of runs through third man and behind square on the leg side—a clear indication of incorrect lengths.
England's pace bowlers troubled the Australian batsmen during the first day in Perth, but the Aussies scored 205-2 in just 28.2 overs during the second innings of the First Test.
They averaged over five runs per over in Brisbane after Jofra Archer's dismissal concluded England's first innings at 334 all out.
The onslaught began almost immediately after wicketkeeper Smith let go of a straightforward chance offered by a batsman on three off Archer.
Head went on the offensive and looked dangerous until he skied a catch to Carse at long-on, departing for 33.
He joined Jake Weatherald, and the run rate increased rapidly. England struggled to contain the scoring.
Weatherald, playing in only his second Test, was eventually dismissed lbw by for 72 runs from just 78 balls.
Labuschagne edged Stokes, but Jamie Smith managed to hold onto this catch. However, 6ft 7ins Cameron Green joined Steve Smith, and they put together a partnership of 95 for the fourth wicket.
Smith was met with loud boos as he entered the field, as England fans have not forgotten his role in the sandpaper ball-tampering scandal.
He wore black patches under his eyes—now referred to as 'Shivnarines' after former Windies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who used them frequently—to minimize glare from the floodlights.
Smith appeared to be in good form, surpassing fifty and looking poised for a thirteenth century.
He took a painful blow to the elbow from Carse, and Green required treatment after being struck on the right thumb by Gus Atkinson.
England resorted to a short-ball strategy, and after conceding a few more boundaries, Carse delivered a near-yorker that rattled the stumps as Green attempted to make room.
Alex Carey was dropped on his first ball by Duckett, who dived forward at backward point. Duckett should have held onto that catch.
Smith was dismissed for 61 thanks to a spectacular catch by Jacks, who dove at backward square and caught it with his right hand.
Duckett misjudged another catch when he let Josh Inglis go on 21, again at backward point, with Stokes being the frustrated bowler this time.
Fortunately for Duckett, Stokes dismissed Inglis just three balls later.
However, Carse dropped an easy catch at extra cover off Archer, allowing Michael Neser to continue on six. Next, Root reached out to catch a Carey edge at first slip off Atkinson on 25 but could not hold on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main issues with England's bowling performance?
England's bowlers struggled with their accuracy, bowling too short and allowing the Australian batsmen to score freely. This resulted in a high number of boundaries and a lack of containment throughout the innings.
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Joe Root was among those who dropped catches at The GabbaCredit: Cricket Australia via Getty Images
Ben Duckett missed two catch opportunitiesCredit: EPA
