AUS vs ENG Test Day 1 Thriller: Root's Historic Century Battles Starc's Six-Wicket Haul

The second Test of The Ashes 2025/26 series at The Gabba—a crucial Day/Night pink-ball encounter—delivered a thrilling, see-sawing opening day that ultimately saw England wrestle the honors from Australia. The AUS vs ENG Test Day 1 at Brisbane was a dramatic affair, defined by two outstanding individual performances: a majestic, maiden Australian century by England’s Joe Root and a six-wicket burst of lethal pace from Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who broke a world record during play. The atmosphere surrounding the AUS vs ENG Test Day 1 was electric, living up to the fierce rivalry of the Ashes.

England, having won the toss and elected to bat first, finished the AUS vs ENG Test Day 1 in a commanding position at 325/9 (74 overs).

Match Summary and Result of AUS vs ENG Test Day 1

England’s innings began with the worst possible start, a nightmare scenario amplified by the pink ball’s swing. Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, a notorious pink-ball specialist, instantly found his rhythm, removing Ben Duckett (0) and Ollie Pope (0) for ducks in his opening two overs. England was reeling at a precarious 5/2, a score that immediately put Australia on the front foot on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1.

However, a superb counter-attack led by Zak Crawley (76 off 93 balls) and Joe Root (135* off 202 balls) stabilized the innings. They shared a crucial 117-run partnership for the third wicket, successfully navigating the tricky twilight session and forcing a momentum shift on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1. The middle order, including Harry Brook (31) and Ben Stokes (19), provided brief support, but Starc continued to chip away, securing wickets in clusters, including his record-breaking 415th Test wicket.

The final session saw Australia take five wickets, reducing England to a vulnerable 264/9. Yet, the day concluded with a decisive flourish for the visitors, as an incredible 61-run, last-wicket partnership between the immovable Root and a wildly entertaining Jofra Archer (32* off 26 balls) pushed the score past 300. This final partnership was a psychological blow to Australia and sealed the honors for England on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1.

Stumps Score: England: 325/9 (74 overs).

Turning Points and Tactical Decisions of AUS vs ENG Test Day 1

The narrative of AUS vs ENG Test Day 1 was one of dramatic shifts:

The Starc Storm and Record

Mitchell Starc’s early wickets (5/2) were the first decisive turning point, instantly justifying captain Ben Stokes’ decision to bat first despite the challenging conditions. Later, Starc’s return for the night session provided the second crucial moment. By dismissing Harry Brook, Starc surpassed Pakistan legend Wasim Akram (414) to become the most prolific left-arm fast bowler in Test history with 415 wickets. This moment of history, though overshadowed by Root’s final stand, was the high point for Australia on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1. Starc finished with figures of 6/71.

Root’s Redemption and Crawley’s Assault

The resilience shown by the English third-wicket pair was the most significant turning point for the visitors. Crawley’s aggressive 76 was played at a strike rate of over 81, contrasting sharply with the early caution. This counter-attack wrested control back from Australia and allowed Root to settle for his marathon innings.

Root’s Maiden Australian Century

Joe Root’s century, his first in an Ashes Test in Australia across four tours and 30 innings, was a moment of immense personal and team significance. It silenced critics and anchored the entire innings. His switch to ‘Bazball’ aggression once the tail was exposed—epitomised by his daring reverse-scoop for six off Scott Boland—was an exhibition in clutch batting that defined the end of AUS vs ENG Test Day 1.

The Record 10th-Wicket Stand

The final partnership with Jofra Archer was a dagger blow for Australia. Their 61 runs was the highest 10th-wicket stand in Day-Night Test history, surpassing the previous best of 59. This late flourish added crucial, unexpected runs and significantly elevated England’s score from vulnerable to formidable at the close of AUS vs ENG Test Day 1.

Player Performances on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1

Joe Root (England) – 135* (202 balls)

Root’s performance was hailed as a magnificent career milestone. Coming to the crease at 5/2, he faced the immediate pressure of the pink ball swinging under lights. His century, his 40th Test ton overall, was a masterclass in composure and technique. This achievement completed a critical piece of his Test legacy and was the ultimate difference-maker for England on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1.

Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 6/71 (19 overs)

Starc was the sole, relentless threat for Australia, single-handedly preventing a massive English total. His 6-wicket haul confirmed his status as the most lethal pink-ball bowler in history, with his total Day-Night Test wickets now standing at 81. His ability to strike with the new ball and the second new ball was a testament to his elite skill, even if the rest of the Australian attack (Neser 1/43, Boland 1/85) lacked his penetration on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1.

Zak Crawley (England) – 76 (93 balls)

Crawley’s fluent and attacking half-century, following two low scores in the previous Test, was vital for England. His quick-scoring partnership with Root ensured the initial collapse did not become a rout, setting the platform for the latter’s heroics on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1.

What it Means for Tournament Standings (WTC 2025-27)

Australia currently holds a 1-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series, having won the first Test in Perth. This second Test is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.

Rank	Team	Played (P)	Won (W)	Points	PCT
1	Australia	4	4	48	100.00
6	England	6	2	26	36.11

The strong showing by England on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1 gives them a solid platform to level the series. A score of 325/9 is highly competitive in Day/Night Tests at The Gabba. If England’s all-pace attack can exploit the pink-ball conditions as effectively as Starc did on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1, they will place immense pressure on the Australian batting lineup and significantly boost their chances of winning this crucial AUS vs ENG Test Day 1 sequel. A win is imperative for England’s WTC standing.

Fan Perspective and Opinions

The general fan consensus is that AUS vs ENG Test Day 1 provided a compelling and evenly fought spectacle. Australian supporters lauded Starc’s record, but there was visible frustration at the inability of the other bowlers to finish the innings quickly, particularly the last-wicket stand. English fans are overjoyed, viewing Root’s century as a defining moment of resilience and class. The aggressive mindset displayed in the final hour confirms that England will continue to play with attacking intent, regardless of the score on AUS vs ENG Test Day 1.

Tournament Streaming Guide

To ensure you don’t miss any of the action from the 2025/26 Ashes series, including the crucial remainder of the 2nd Test at The Gabba, here is the essential viewing guide:

In Australia: Free-to-air coverage is available on Channel Seven and streaming on 7Plus. Pay TV options include Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
In the UK & Republic of Ireland: Live coverage is exclusive to TNT Sports.
In India & Subcontinent: You can stream the matches on Jio Hotstar and watch on the Star Sports network.
In the USA & Canada: Matches are available via Willow TV.