Summary

  • Head's 85-ball century lifts Australia from 236-6

  • Robinson takes two wickets in two balls after tea

  • Warner (94) and Labuschagne (74) put on 156 for second wicket

  • Warner survives being bowled off a Stokes no-ball, and being dropped in the slips by Burns

  • Leach expensive as Aussies target England spinner

  • First Test, day two, Brisbane

  • Daily highlights programme on BBC iPlayer from 17:00

  1. See you again at 23:00 GMTpublished at 08:47 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Time for us to call it a day about another absorbing day of Ashes cricket.

    Australia are 343-7 in reply to England's 147 all out - meaning they already have a lead of 196. Is that already match-winning?

    I'll leave you with Stephan Shemilt's report, the scorecard and there will be a Test Match Special podcast available to download and listen to shortly. You can watch highlights of the day's action below.

    Keep your eyes peeled to the cricket section for more analysis. Don't forget the extended daily highlights on iPlayer from 17:00 GMT too.

    Test Match Special and our text and in-play clip coverage will be back at 23:00, with play starting at 23:30 as we continue to make up time lost on day one.

    See you then!

  2. Postpublished at 08:43 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Here are some of the chances that Jon is talking about...

  3. Postpublished at 08:42 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    England bowling coach Jon Lewis: "Overall there were some really good and positive stuff to come out of the day. We showed that we could take wickets and if you're being critical you could say we could be more consistent and there were periods when Australia got on top of us and we are frustrated to have missed some opportunities."

  4. Highlights on iPlayer at 17:00 GMTpublished at 08:40 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    As with every day of this Ashes series there will be highlights on BBC iPlayer from 17:00 GMT.

    They are well worth a watch on a rollercoaster day for England. Travis Head's century, while it is for Australia, is pretty special and entertaining too.

    Day two highlights will be available here while you can head here each day to find the latest highlights.

  5. How's stat?!published at 08:37 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Andy Zaltzman
    BBC Test Match Special statistician

    Travis Head's century was the fourth fastest against England in Test cricket. It was the joint-ninth fastest ever for Australia and the fastest at The Gabba.

    In came in before tea but didn't face a ball so he has scored 112 runs in the session from 95 balls. He scored 106 from his last 76 balls.

  6. 'I'm still pinching myself'published at 08:34 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Australia batter Travis Head: "It was just about being as clear as I possibly could but they started well. Ollie Robinson bowled some difficult overs and the wicket was tough but it was about staying calm and having consistent plans and just staying relaxed and trying to take some momentum through the game. If the opportunity presented itself to score then look to score really. There has been quite a bit there for the bowlers whole came. Once we got the momentum back it was about trying to take advantage of that.

    "I'm still pinching myself. I can't quite work out what transpired in the last couple of hours but I want to contribute to Australia and wins and hopefully we progress ourselves from this nice position. I've been really relaxed throughout the Test match. I just want to play my game and play how I see it.

    "My technique is a really good place. It is a great feeling to be in that place. I find the first 20 runs really tough but I took my time and that put in that position. it was really pleasing."

  7. 'This game has become preparation that hasn't been'published at 08:30 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

    Whether it is a three-day Test match or not will depend how quickly England take the three wickets - there isn't much batting to come but there is still damage that can be done by Travis Head and Mitchell Starc is no mug.

    England have to, somehow, come back strong tomorrow. They've got the new ball and they'll have to wrap up this innings and then get batting. That is really going to be the challenge. In a way this game has become preparation that hasn't been. They've got all the time in the world to bat, and it isn't going to be easy, but they've got to make the most of it because Adelaide is coming up next week.

    England will have to try and take out of this game what they can. Try and get some batters in form and try and make the very best of it.

  8. Bowling figurespublished at 08:27 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Chris Woakes: 1-56 from 20 overs

    Ollie Robinson: 3-48 from 18 overs

    Mark Wood: 1-57 from 20 overs

    Ben Stokes: 0-50 from nine overs

    Jack Leach: 1-95 from 11 overs

    Joe Root: 1-29 from six overs

  9. Postpublished at 08:24 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    England have to go and dust themselves off. They have to get three wickets and have another go and try and get some personal milestones.

    The game, realistically, might have gone but there might be some weather around so you've got to have that in the back of your mind but you've got to try and put some partnerships going, get some form and get a hundred.

    It is looking tricky at the moment.

  10. Playing times for day threepublished at 08:21 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    We'll again start 30 minutes early tomorrow so these are the playing times for day three at The Gabba:

    Morning session: 23:30-02:00 GMT

    Afternoon session: 02:40-04:40 GMT

    Evening session: 05:00-07:00 GMT (play can continue till 07:30)

    Test Match Special will be back on air at 23:00, and our live text will start at the same time too.

  11. Postpublished at 08:18 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

    T20 cricket has given batters confidence to go out there and hit the ball for six.

    If bringing Jack Leach on was buying a wicket - what we used to say in the old days - then it was certainly Harrods prices today.

  12. 'England's game plan and logic is there'published at 08:14 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    England's game plan and logic is there but with the preparation that England have had and a lack of game time in the legs then in hindsight now they might say now that five seamers would have been the way to go.

  13. 'A dream come true for me'published at 08:10 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    England bowler Ollie Robinson on Test Match Special: "It was a tough day for us but we toiled hard and on another day we felt like we could have had earlier wickets. We'll come back fighting tomorrow.

    "It is first time experiencing this really. It doesn't swing around as much.

    "We spoke about being really patient and bowling a fourth-stump line from wide or mid crease. Pat Cummins did that exceptionally yesterday and that was our plan as well. We felt the Aussies batters left really well - Marnus in particular left me really well and it felt like I had to push the ball fuller to get him to play, which was tough. It is definitely a learner for us.

    "Ben [Stokes] going down is always tough, especially in these conditions. He adds something that not all of us have - he has that pace and bounce. It hurts us a little bit but the rest of the boys took that slack and I thought it was a good effort in the end.

    "Today was quite surreal for me. I took a step back at one stage to take it all in. I'd have liked the team to have a better day but from a personal point of view it was a dream come true.

    "We need to get early wickets tomorrow - hit those good areas, come hard again. If we can have a good first hour and then hopefully pile on the runs."

  14. 'Leach was a bad selection'published at 08:07 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

    Jack Leach was a bad selection for the pitch.

    It is a five-seamer pitch and it seems a total luxury but you are five for this game because you don't know how fit Ben Stokes is and you can bowl a seamer when you need him.

  15. Postpublished at 08:07 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Thanks Matt.

    As he said stick with us - we'll bring you plenty more reaction and clips in the next 30-60 minutes.

    Travis Head is currently doing the Australia post-match presser so we'll try to bring you some quotes from him before we sign off for the day.

  16. Postpublished at 08:05 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Callum Matthews is here to recap the action for those of you just joining us. He'll also continue to bring you all of the reaction from Brisbane.

    Stay with him. It has been a belting day, albeit a miserable one for England.

  17. Postpublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Just joining us? Travis Head has heaped more misery on England by whacking an 85-ball hundred on day two of the first Ashes Test.

    England fought admirably but eventually ran out of steam in the Brisbane heat.

    Dropped chances and a wicket off a no-ball has hurt them badly.

  18. 'Australia executed their game plan'published at 07:58 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    I have no doubt that Jack Leach is still the right man to be England's spinner on this trip but Australia have just been incredibly ruthless today.

    They had their foot on England's throat and they took it off for a little half an hour period but as soon as they had the opportunity to put it back on they have. They've executed their game plan. They'll have spoken about not letting the three seamers having a rest.

  19. 'I felt like I was going to get Warner out every over'published at 07:56 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    England bowler Ollie Robinson on BT Sport: "It was a warm one. They were tough conditions for us but the boys toiled hard. There were some missed opportunities early and on another day we could have them four down.

    "My body is doing OK. I came off for some strapping and maintenance but I'll rest up tonight and come back tomorrow.

    "It came out well today. I was consistent and had a lot of plays and misses. I sort of felt like I was going to get Warner out every over. He left well at times but there were times when I thought he was going to nick it.

    "I've not really played anywhere like this. The closest place would be Headingley - it's nice to have bounce as a big guy and get that extra carry. It definitely helped [having spent time over in Australia before] - whenever you can come over here and learn to bowl with the Kookaburra ball, it definitely helped me today and hopefully for the rest of the series."

  20. 'I feel sorry for Leach'published at 07:54 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2021

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Test Match Special

    It was utterly predictable that Australia were going to attack Jack Leach - it is what we said yesterday. It was very obvious that's what was going to happen.

    I feel sorry for Leach - he has hardly played since India. He's bowled very well. He didn't bowl particularly badly but they just smashed him.