Australia leads the 2025/26 Ashes series 1-0 after Travis Head’s stunning 69-ball century powered them to an eight-wicket win inside two days at Perth.
England collapsed twice, bowled out for 172 and 164, while Mitchell Starc grabbed 10 wickets in the match.
The visitors now face a day-night Test at the Gabba, where they have won just four of 22 matches. Pat Cummins looks set to return from his back injury, strengthening Australia’s pace attack.
This blog covers weather and pitch reports for the Brisbane Test, current betting odds from major bookmakers, and key players who could decide this match under lights.
Read on for complete match predictions and analysis.
2nd Test Match Details Of The Ashes 2025-26
The second Test moves to Brisbane for the first day-night Ashes match of the series. The Gabba hosts from December 4-8, with the pink ball under lights presenting different challenges than Perth’s opening encounter.
| Series | The Ashes: England vs Australia |
|---|---|
| Match | 2nd Test (Day/Night) |
| Date | 4-8 December 2025 |
| Time | 4:30 AM GMT |
| Venue | The Gabba, Brisbane |
This marks the fourth day-night Test at the Gabba. Play begins at 2 pm local time and extends into the evening session under floodlights, creating twilight conditions that traditionally favour swing bowling.
The Ashes 2025-26 2nd Test: Weather Report
Brisbane sits in summer mode during early December with warm days and humid conditions. The weather stays consistent across the five days, with occasional afternoon showers possible but unlikely to impact play significantly.
| Metric | Report |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 20°C to 29°C |
| Weather | Warm, partly cloudy, humid |
| Precipitation | Slight chance of showers |
| Humidity | 55% to 75% |
| Wind | 15–24 km/h Easterly |
December brings Brisbane’s wet season, but early forecasts suggest play continues with minimal interruption. Morning humidity aids swing bowling during the twilight period when natural light fades around 6:30 pm local time and floodlights take over.
Pitch Report For The Ashes 2025-26 2nd Test Match
The Gabba pitch delivers pace and bounce with true carry throughout five days. Fast bowlers extract seam movement early before the surface settles into a batting paradise for those who survive the opening spells.
| Metric | Report |
|---|---|
| Behaviour | Fast, bouncy, true carry |
| Batting Assistance | Difficult early, excellent after settling |
| Bowling Assistance | Seamers dominate, spinners limited |
| Pink Ball Factor | Extra swing in twilight, harder lacquer lasts longer |
| Historic Avg 1st Inns | 329 runs (Test matches) |
| Toss/Preference | Bat first strongly preferred |
The pink ball swings longer than the red due to extra lacquer coating. Twilight sessions between 5:30pm and 7pm present the toughest batting conditions when natural light fades and artificial lights intensify swing movement through humid Brisbane air.
Winning & Toss Odds For The Ashes 2025-26 2nd Test Match
Australia carries momentum after their dominant eight-wicket victory at Perth. England must regroup quickly at a venue where they have struggled historically.
Pat Cummins returns to captain and bowl after recovering from his back injury, strengthening Australia’s pace attack. The Gabba traditionally favours home teams, with England winning just four of 22 Tests at this ground.
| Bookmaker | Australia Win | England Win | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | 1.73 | 3.75 | 8.00 |
| William Hill | 1.67 | 3.50 | 8.00 |
| Betway | 1.70 | 3.60 | 8.00 |
| Betfred | 8/13 | 11/4 | 8/1 |
| Parimatch | 1.72 | 3.70 | 8.00 |
Disclaimer: Odds change rapidly. Weather updates, squad selections, and injuries shift markets constantly. Check bookmakers for current pricing before placing wagers.
Teams batting first have won seven of nine day-night Tests at the Gabba. The pink ball under lights creates difficult conditions during twilight periods when batters struggle with visibility and movement.
Australia’s record under lights remains formidable, having won nine of their 12 day-night Tests at home.
The Ashes England vs Australia – Head-to-Head Stats
Overall, through history, Australia boasts 152 victories against England, who have 112 with 97 draws. England have not won a Test in Australia since 2011.
| Matches | 362 |
|---|---|
| Australia wins | 153 |
| England wins | 112 |
| Draws | 97 |
In the last 10 years in all locations, Tests between the two sides, England have seven wins to Australia’s 14, with four draws.
Some Other Head-to-Head Stats
These numbers tell stories of dominance across eras that shaped Test cricket itself.
- Highest total: England – 903/7 dec, Australia – 758/8 dec
- Lowest total: England – 45, Australia – 36
- Most runs (Australia): Don Bradman (5028), Allan Border (3548)
- Most runs (England): Jack Hobbs (3636), David Gower (3269)
- Most wickets (Australia): Shane Warne (195), Dennis Lillee (167)
- Most wickets (England): Stuart Broad (153), Ian Botham (148)
Bradman averaged 89.78 across 37 Ashes Tests between 1928 and 1948, a figure that remains untouchable. Warne’s 195 wickets came from his ability to spin the ball both ways on any surface.
English bowlers historically struggled in the Australian heat, where pitches favoured pace and bounce over swing. The numbers reveal how Australian conditions suit their players, while England must adapt methods learned on green English wickets.
Players To Watch In The Ashes 2025-26
Six players emerge as critical to their teams after Perth exposed batting frailties and pace dominance. Form and fitness separate contenders from passengers heading into Brisbane.
1. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – The veteran claimed 10 wickets at Perth for his third match haul of that scale in Tests. Starc took 7-58 in England’s first innings and 3-55 in their second, dismantling both batting efforts. Australia leans heavily on him again, with Hazlewood still out and Cummins uncertain.
2. Travis Head (Australia) – Head promoted to open and smashed 123 off 83 balls with 16 fours and four sixes, the second fastest Ashes century ever. His aggressive approach changed the match in 28 overs. Whether he opens again or returns to number five depends on Khawaja’s back recovery.
3. Pat Cummins (Australia) – The captain targets his return after missing Perth with a lower back injury. Cummins said he’s “half a chance” to be fit for Brisbane and has been bowling around 10 overs in training sessions. His presence transforms Australia’s bowling attack and adds batting depth at number eight.
4. Zak Crawley (England) – The opener bagged a pair of first-over ducks at Perth, both dismissed by Starc, marking England’s first Ashes pair this century. Coach Brendon McCullum backs him despite the failures. Crawley needs runs immediately to silence critics questioning his place.
5. Harry Brook (England) – Vice-captain managed just 52 runs across two innings at Perth before falling cheaply in the second. Brook averages over 60 at the Gabba from previous visits but faces his toughest examination under lights against the pink ball on a bouncy track.
6. Scott Boland (Australia) – Went for 0-62 in Perth’s first innings but found his length the second time around with 4-33 to trigger England’s collapse. The Victorian holds his spot with Hazlewood sidelined and Cummins doubtful. Brisbane conditions suit his precise line and length bowling.
Usman Khawaja suffered back spasms at Perth and couldn’t open in either innings , making him doubtful for Brisbane. Josh Hazlewood remains unavailable with his hamstring problem and is unlikely to feature.
England retain the same squad with McCullum backing his methods despite the two-day defeat. If Cummins returns fit, debutant Brendan Doggett likely makes way despite his five wickets on debut.
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Conclusion: Australia’s Momentum Meets England’s Crisis Under Brisbane Lights
England face their lowest point in decades after folding inside two days at Perth. The match finished in two days for the first time in an Ashes Test since 1921, with batting collapses exposing technical flaws against pace and bounce.
Brisbane presents no relief. The Gabba remains Australia’s fortress, where England have won just four of 22 Tests. Australia has won 13 of its 14 day-night Tests, including all three against England. Pat Cummins likely returns to strengthen an already dominant pace attack.
England stick with their Bazball approach despite criticism. Brendon McCullum refuses to change methods, backing Zak Crawley after his pair of ducks. The series could slip away here if Australia presses home its advantage before Boxing Day.
FAQs
The first day-night Test took place between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide Oval on November 27, 2015. Australia won by three wickets on day three.
The pink ball has an extra lacquer coating, which maintains shine longer, causing more lateral movement in the air for extended overs. The smoother surface also makes it skid faster off the pitch.
Play begins at 2 pm local time and extends until around 9 pm. The twilight period between 5:30pm and 7pm presents the toughest batting conditions under fading natural light.
England have won just four of 22 Tests in Brisbane, with their most recent victory coming in 1986-87. Australia has won seven of the last nine Ashes Tests there.
Who is Australia’s leading wicket-taker in day-night Tests?
