Gaz axed! Drama as England pile on the runs! Test 2, Day 1 review!

The second Ashes Test at the Gabba begins with a selection bombshell that leaves the cricket world stunned. Hosts Steven O’Keefe and Moises Henriques dissect a day of dramatic shifts, where a "world-class" veteran is sidelined and Joe Root finally conquers his Australian demons.

The "Stunned" selection of Nathan Lyon

The biggest talking point of the morning is the omission of Nathan Lyon, a decision O’Keefe calls "stunning" and Henriques admits he "did not see coming." Despite Lyon’s 500+ Test wickets and strong record with the pink ball at the Gabba, Australia opts for Michael Neser, a move Henriques suggests might have been a "safe move to shore up Australia's batting." O’Keefe is particularly frustrated by the impact on the over rate, describing the slow pace of play without a spinner as an "absolute piss take." He questions the logic of having 500 wickets "wasted" in the sheds while the team relies on a repetitive short-ball barrage.

Starc strikes early (again)

While selection dominated the pre-match talk, Mitchell Starc ensures the focus shifts back to the field by claiming a wicket in the first over for the 26th time in his Test career. Henriques praises the "perfect execution" of Starc’s plan, noting that the dismissal of Ben Duckett to a "swinging pellet" put England under immediate pressure. However, the hosts are less impressed with Ollie Pope, who chops on for a duck. Henriques expresses disappointment in Pope's decision to play a cut shot so early: "Why are you staying leg-side of a ball in the third over? You just don't see the best players in the world doing that."

Joe Root’s maiden Australian century

The centerpiece of the day is a masterful 135 from Joe Root, his first Test century on Australian soil. O’Keefe believes this innings solidifies Root's legacy, removing the "monkey off the back" that had lingered over his career. "He stood up, he stepped up, stepped forward and he got it done today," O’Keefe says, comparing the weight of expectation to that of Ricky Ponting’s struggles in India. Henriques highlights Root's "resilience" and "anchoring" presence, noting that he absorbed immense pressure at two for nothing to build England's total over six and a half hours of batting.

England’s "Spazball with brains"

The hosts observe a more tactical approach from England, which O’Keefe describes as "Spazball with brains." Rather than a reckless declaration at nine wickets down, England bats on into the twilight, with Jofra Archer and Joe Root putting on a vital late-day partnership to take the score from 264 to 326. Henriques believes this was a "brave call" that paid dividends, as it not only added 60 crucial runs but also forced the Australian bowlers to continue toiling late into the night. "That score of 264 versus 326 is huge in the context of the game," O’Keefe adds.

A humdinger in the making

Looking toward Day 2, the hosts believe the game is beautifully poised. While 326 might be slightly "short of par" on what looks like a benign surface, England has enough runs to stay connected to the contest even if Australia bats well. Henriques notes that the "game changes so quickly" with this English team, and O’Keefe predicts a "humdinger" of a match, provided Australia can quickly claim the final wicket tomorrow morning.

Catch the full episode on Fanatics TV.

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