The Ashes: Recap Day 2 of the second Test between Australia and England at the Gabba

After a seven-over spell early in the second session Jofra Archer takes the ball to start the third session.

This is the session that could decide the match.

If Australia can get through to tomorrow with five or six wickets in hand they are set for a monster first innings total.

Meanwhile, if England roll them here they may get to start another innings during the day.

Or, should Australia get close to being bowled out today, they could declare and get a new pink ball talking under lights.

Huge session to come!

AUS 3-243

Another great session for Australia and it’s summed up by Stokes ending it with a full toss Green slices to the boundary.

The Aussies are well on top of this match and will hope to take advantage under lights.

England are set to have a soft ball as well and are 36 overs away from a new ball.

We will be back after the break!

SMITH 24*

GREEN 22*

AUS 3-228, trail by 106

Stokes is trying to carry this English side all on his own.

While bowling he is also being the hype man.

He is hustling between balls, something the Aussies could learn from, and jeering up his fielders.

As good as Australia’s start has been, if England grab three wickets here the game turns on its head.

Both Smith and Green are still only in the teens as well.

AUS 3-215

As Stokes starts another over, his wicket of Labuschagne takes him into England’s top 10 all-time Test wicket takers.

Matthew Hoggard is in his sights at No.9 as well.

As Green cover drives him to the rope!

AUS 3-208

Smith is in the wars again!

The star was beaten by the bounce and takes a direct blow to the elbow from Carse.

He is taking some treatment and a short break but that looked painful on the point.

This is also the sort of bounce that made Usman Khawaja attack the Perth pitch. Wonder if his opinion of his home pitch will be the same?

AUS 3-200

The skipper does it again for England!

As the twilight sets in Marnus went for a cut shot but the ball was far too close to him.

He was cramped for room and the ball catches the top edge on the way through the Smith.

He departs 65 from 78 and will be kicking himself.

Green to the crease at five.

AUS 3-196

Marnus brings up his half century but it was a top edge over the keeper.

Carse has returned after the drinks break and is looking to attack short again.

There was a bit of extra bounce as the shadow takes over the ground.

AUS 2-179

Australia sit at 2-175 at drinks trailing by 159.

Labuschagne is 46 and Smith on 12.

​There’s some bad news on the Josh Hazlewood front.​

The NSW quick has had an injury set back as he attempts to get fit to play a role in the Ashes.

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Archer has now bowled 11 overs for the day and the Aussies send him on his way with a maximum from Marnus!

That is likely the end of the English spearhead for now given his load management and them not having Wood to call on.

The Australian’s are doing their job perfectly here and ensuring all of England’s bowlers will be needed for third and fourth spells.

The grind is on.

AUS 2-163