England endured a frustrating day in the ongoing day-night Test as their first-innings total of 334 was eclipsed by Australia, who ended the day 44 runs ahead at 378 for six. Missed opportunities and costly errors allowed the visitors to seize control, culminating in the highest single-day total in a day-night Test match.
Only nine runs were added to England’s previous day score, with Joe Root standing firm on 138 not out from 206 deliveries. Root’s innings featured 15 fours and a six, and he shared a resolute 70-run partnership with Jofra Archer, taking the score to 264 for nine. Mitchell Starc was the pick of the Australian bowlers, finishing with six wickets—the best figures of the innings.
Australia’s reply began steadily, with an opening stand of 77 before David Warner’s replacement, Head, fell for 33 in the ninth over. Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne then combined for 69 runs, with Labuschagne top-scoring at 65, helping Australia maintain momentum. They lost one more wicket before the lunch break.
Following the interval, Cameron Green and Steve Smith consolidated Australia’s innings with a 95-run fourth-wicket partnership. Green fell for 45, while Alex Carey survived a reprieve off Ben Duckett. Smith’s dismissal for 61, on the very next ball, did little to dent the visitors’ confidence.
England’s fielding lapses proved costly, with three additional dropped catches allowing Australia to dominate the latter part of the day. Josh Inglis fell for 23, but Carey and Michael Neser remained unbeaten on 49 runs by stumps. Australia’s 378 for six represents their highest single-day tally in a day-night Test.
Combined, both teams amassed 387 runs during the day, establishing a new record for runs scored in a single day in a day-night Test match. The game remains finely poised, with Australia holding the advantage but England’s batting resilience, led by Root, keeping them firmly in contention.
Key Performances:
| Player | Team | Runs/Wickets | Balls/Fours/Sixes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | England | 138* | 206/15/1 | Shared 70-run last-wicket stand |
| Jofra Archer | England | 27 | — | Part of 70-run partnership |
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | 6 wickets | — | Best bowling figures |
| Marnus Labuschagne | Australia | 65 | — | Part of 69-run partnership |
| Cameron Green | Australia | 45 | — | Part of 95-run fourth-wicket stand |
| Steve Smith | Australia | 61 | — | Part of 95-run partnership |
| Alex Carey | Australia | 49* | — | Remained unbeaten |
| Michael Neser | Australia | 49* | — | Remained unbeaten |
The stage is set for a gripping contest, with Australia holding a slender lead but England capable of mounting a significant counterattack on the second day.