The Ashes 2025/26 series, one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries, moves to a critical stage as England seeks to bounce back against a dominant Australia in the Eng vs Aus 2nd Test. Following a crushing defeat in the opening match, the pressure is immense on Ben Stokes’ side to level the series.
This highly-anticipated Day-Night Test match, played with the pink ball, is scheduled to start on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at The Gabba, Brisbane. With Australia leading 1-0 in the five-match series, the atmosphere will be electric as both teams vie for a crucial psychological and statistical advantage. For England, it’s a must-win to keep the hopes of reclaiming the urn alive; for Australia, it’s a chance to put a near-unassailable grip on the historic trophy.
Australia vs England 2nd Test – Tournament Context
The Ashes is the pinnacle of Test cricket, played biennially between the oldest rivals in the game. The current series is being hosted in Australia. The first Test in Perth was a swift and brutal affair, ending inside two days with Australia securing a dominant eight-wicket victory. The English “Bazball” approach was undone by a fiery Australian bowling attack, led spectacularly by Mitchell Starc.
Australia now rides a wave of confidence, backed by their formidable home record. They are the current holders of the Ashes, having drawn the previous series 2-2 in England and winning the last series down under 4-0. The challenge for England is not just defeating the home side, but overcoming a history of struggles on Australian soil, having not won a series there since 2010/11. This Eng vs Aus 2nd Test presents a high-stakes, pink-ball puzzle in an intimidating fortress.
Head-to-Head Records: The Dominance Down Under
The long and storied history of The Ashes shows a clear advantage for Australia in the overall Test record.
| Category | Australia Wins | England Wins | Draws |
| Overall Test Matches | 153 | 112 | 97 |
| Ashes Series Wins | 34 | 32 | 7 (Australia retained on 6 occasions) |
Gabba (Brisbane) Record
The Gabba has traditionally been a stronghold for Australia, and a graveyard for English ambitions:
- England’s last victory at the Gabba was in 1986.
- Australia has an exceptionally strong overall record at the venue.
Day-Night (Pink Ball) Test Record
The fact that this Eng vs Aus 2nd Test is a Day-Night encounter further tips the scales towards the hosts:
- Australia has been dominant in pink-ball Tests, holding one of the best records globally (though they did lose a recent one at the Gabba against West Indies in 2024).
- England has a poor record in D/N Tests, especially in Australia, and has struggled to adapt their aggressive style to the challenging, changing conditions of pink-ball cricket.
Key Players to Watch in the Eng vs Aus 2nd Test
Australia
- Mitchell Starc: The undisputed king of the pink ball. His immaculate record in Day-Night Tests, coupled with his seven-wicket haul in the first Test, makes him the most dangerous bowler. The new pink ball under lights is tailor-made for his swing and pace.
- Steve Smith (Captain): Stepping in as captain due to Pat Cummins’ unavailability, the world-class batter is due for a big score. His leadership and ability to anchor the innings will be crucial, particularly if the top order falters against England’s pace attack.
- Travis Head: Fresh off a match-winning, counter-attacking century in the first Test, Head’s confidence will be sky-high. His aggressive approach and ability to shift momentum make him a genuine threat in the middle order. He is also a likely opening option due to Usman Khawaja’s fitness concerns.
England
- Joe Root: The most experienced and technically sound batter in the England lineup. While others bat around the ‘Bazball’ philosophy, Root’s ability to play the long innings and manage the variable conditions will be the foundation upon which England’s total must be built.
- Ben Stokes (Captain): The key all-rounder and leader. England needs Stokes the batsman to deliver a characteristic game-changing knock. His aggressive captaincy and ability to inspire his young pace attack—especially Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse—will be paramount.
- Jofra Archer: Returning to the Test setup, his express pace and wicket-taking ability are non-negotiable for England. On a Gabba pitch known for pace and bounce, Archer will be relied upon to deliver hostile spells and break through Australia’s solid batting line-up.
Pitch and Weather Conditions for the Eng vs Aus 2nd Test
The Gabba, Brisbane Pitch Report
The Gabba pitch for this Day-Night Test is expected to be a lively green top.
- Pace and Bounce: The surface will offer significant pace, steep bounce, and lateral movement, particularly for the fast bowlers.
- Pink Ball Factor: This is compounded by the pink ball, which typically swings more under lights during the ‘twilight’ and night sessions. This often makes batting extremely challenging in the third and fourth sessions of the day.
- Spin: While generally favoring quicks, the surface is expected to aid the spinner, Will Jacks, as the match progresses into Day 3 and beyond.
The conditions strongly favor the side with the superior pace attack and the batting unit best equipped to handle genuine speed and movement. Given the first Test’s outcome, England’s technical deficiencies against pace will be severely tested once again.
Weather Forecast
The forecast for the match dates suggests mostly clear conditions. While there is always a chance of a short shower in Brisbane, no major, persistent rain interruptions are expected, ensuring a full contest in the Eng vs Aus 2nd Test. The lack of cloud cover, however, can often enhance the swing of the pink ball under the floodlights, especially in the evening.
Prediction for the Eng vs Aus 2nd Test (A Tight Contest Expected)
Predicting the outcome of this pink-ball Test is exceptionally difficult, given the major variables introduced by the format and the current team dynamics. While Australia is the favorite based on history, several factors point toward a potentially close, highly unpredictable contest:
- The Pink Ball Volatility: The nature of the Day-Night Test is inherently unpredictable. The twilight session often sees a furious burst of wickets, which can favor either team depending on who is batting at that crucial time. Australia’s pink-ball dominance is clear, but their only recent home loss in this format came at the Gabba (vs. West Indies, Jan 2024), proving they are not invincible here.
- Australia’s Unsettled Attack: The confirmed absence of Pat Cummins (captain/pace leader) and Josh Hazlewood (swing specialist) is a huge blow. Australia will rely heavily on Mitchell Starc, but the support cast, featuring Michael Neser and Scott Boland/Brendan Doggett, is less experienced as a cohesive unit, which could ease the pressure on England’s batters.
- England’s Double-Edged Selection: England’s decision to replace Mark Wood with spinner Will Jacks is a gamble. It weakens the pace attack but significantly deepens their batting, which is crucial if they face a pink-ball collapse. If Joe Root and Harry Brook can provide stability, the inclusion of Jacks, along with Ben Stokes’ all-round threat, gives England a deeper lineup capable of posting a competitive total.
- The ‘Bazball’ Factor: England’s aggressive approach (Bazball) is high-risk, but high-reward. If it clicks, they can seize the initiative in a session, as Travis Head did for Australia in the first Test. If the Gabba’s pace and bounce cause another collapse, the match will be lost quickly, but if they get ahead, their momentum could be difficult for an unsettled Australian side to stop.
The result will hinge entirely on which team masters the twilight session and which top-order manages to hold its nerve against the moving pink ball. Due to the key absences for Australia and England’s willingness to fight fire with fire, this match could genuinely swing either way until the final session.
Match Timings and Broadcasting Details for the Eng vs Aus 2nd Test
The Eng vs Aus 2nd Test is a Day-Night encounter, which means the local start time in Australia is in the afternoon, resulting in varied viewing times across the globe.
Global Match Start Times (Daily)
The first ball is scheduled for 2:00 PM Local Time (Brisbane) on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
| Country/Region | Time Zone | Match Start Time (Daily) |
| Australia (Brisbane/Local) | AEST | 2:00 PM (Start) |
| Australia (Sydney/Melbourne) | AEDT | 3:00 PM (Start) |
| India | IST | 9:30 AM (Start) |
| Pakistan | PKT | 9:00 AM (Start) |
| United Kingdom (UK) / GMT | GMT | 4:00 AM (Start) |
| USA (Eastern Time) | EST | 11:00 PM (Previous Night) |
| USA (Pacific Time) | PST | 8:00 PM (Previous Night) |
Broadcast and Live Streaming Platforms
| Country/Region | TV Broadcast Channels | Live Streaming Platforms |
| Australia | Channel Seven, Foxtel | 7plus (Free-to-air), Kayo Sports (Subscription) |
| India | Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1/HD, etc.) | JioHotstar (App & Website) |
| United Kingdom (UK) | TNT Sports | Discovery+ |
| Pakistan | JioStar (Network) | JioHotstar (App & Website) |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV | Willow TV (Streaming) |
| New Zealand | Sky NZ | Sky Go |
