Overview:

The 2nd Test between Australia and England will start at 9:30am IST on December 4 in Brisbane.

 The Australian men’s cricket team is set to take on England in the 2nd Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. The 2nd clash of the five-Test series will start from December 4 onwards. Interestingly, this is a Day/Night Test.

Australia have done well in their 67 Tests here. They have won 42, lost 10 and drawn 13. England have played 22 times here. They have won only 4 Test matches (D5 L13). 

Both sides have played one Test series each in the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Australia beat West Indies 3-0 away and lead the show with a 100% PCT from 4 matches, having won the 1st Ashes Test against England in Perth. Meanwhile, England are also playing their 2nd Test series. They drew 2-2 against England at home and trail this series 0-1. 

What is the Context of the AUS vs ENG match?

England announced their playing XI for the 2nd Test on December 2. They have roped in Will Jacks, whose batting ability helped him trump Shoaib Bashir. The off-spinner took the place of injured pace bowler Mark Wood and is the only change from the side which was beaten heavily in the first Test in Perth. 

For the Aussies, opener Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the pink-ball Test at the Gabba. This was after he failed to recover from the back spasms suffered in Perth. The absence of Khawaja clears the way for Travis Head to continue opening the batting. He opened in the 4th innings at the Perth Stadium and hammered a hundred.  

Australia will include batter Josh Inglis as a replacement for the 38-year-old Khawaja.

Australia and England have featured in 362 Test matches. Australia have won 153 matches compared to the England team’s 112. A total of 97 matches have been drawn. In Australia, the two teams have met on 186 occasions. The hosts have claimed 100 wins besides losing 57. A total of 29 matches have been drawn.

The 2nd Test between Australia and England will start at 9:30am IST on December 4 in Brisbane.

Australia – Probable Playing XI

Travis Head: The multi-format player can be Australia’s match-winner. He surpassed the 4000-run mark in Tests at the Perth Stadium during the 1st Test. He also went past 1000 Ashes runs.

Jake Weatherald: He made Test debut in the 1st Ashes Test. Weatherald didn’t impress, scoring only 0 and 23. Overall in FC cricket, he has hit 5345 runs.

Marnus Labuschagne: He fought his way back into the side after being dropped for the West Indies tour and delivered against England in Perth. Labuschagne has scored runs of late in domestic cricket and will fill in at number three. 

Steve Smith (c): He will lead Australia for this Test as well with Pat Cummins being absent. A big player, Smith owns close to 10500 Test runs at an average of 55-plus. He has done well against England over the years. 

Cameron Green: The all-rounder comes into this side with some neat showing in a recent Sheffield Shield match. He will also lend a voice with the ball. Green has an important role to play.

Alex Carey (wk): A fierce player, left-handed batter Carey is a key asset. He has 2036 runs from 44 Tests (64 innings) at 34.50.

Josh Inglis: He will come in for Khawaja. He is three Test matches old and owns 119 runs with the best of 102 from 4 innings.

Mitchell Starc: He will lead the Aussie attack in Cummins and Hazlewood’s absence. With over 400 Test wickets, Starc is a lethal weapon. He surpassed 100 Ashes wickets in the 1st Test.

Nathan Lyon: He owns a good record at the Gabba, Brisbane with 52 wickets. He is two shy of becoming the 6th-highest wicket-taker in Tests. Lyon has 562 Test wickets. 

Scott Boland: The pacer was instrumental in the 2021-22 Ashes at home, picking 18 scalps. Boland did an able job in the 1st Test at the Perth Stadium, clocking 0/62 and 4/33 across his 2 spells.

Brendan Doggett: The experienced pacer did an able job in his debut Test in Perth, taking five wickets, which included a three-for. He has played 51 FC matches to date.

Player to watch out for (Steve Smith): The senior Aussie batter will want to bring his A game. He has a sound record at home in Tests.

England – Probable Playing XI

Ben Duckett : The England southpaw will aim to take on the Aussies from the start with his aggressive play. He scored 21 and 28 in the Perth Test.

Zak Crawley : He will be supporting Duckett well at the top. Crawley owns 1800 runs from 38 Tests. He bagged a pair in the Perth Test.

Ollie Pope: He is a solid customer. He scored 46 and 33 in the Perth Test. Pope will want to convert starts into big scores here in Brisbane. 

Joe Root: The 2nd-highest scorer in Tests, Root suffered in the 1st Ashes Test, scoring 0 and 8. He has a vital role on offer and needs to score.

Harry Brook: He needs to curb his aggression and play a sound brand of cricket. He scored 53 and 0 in the 1st Test.

Ben Stokes (c): He will be aiming to bring his all-round play. Stokes owns over 7000 Test runs and has 235 scalps. He failed with the bat in Perth and needs to improve.

Jamie Smith (wk): The wicketkeeper batter can be a menace with his power-hitting and risk-taking abilities. He scored 33 and 15 in the Perth Test.

Will Jacks: He owns over 2500 First-Class runs with 4 tons and 16 fifties. With the ball, he has 49 scalps. He owns 2 Test caps for England.

Gus Atkinson: He remains a threat with the ball. With 63 scalps from 14 matches, Atkinson is a genuine wicket-taker. However, he was wicketless in the Perth Test.

Brydon Carse: He can chip in with the bat if needed and bring value. Being 10 Tests old, he has bagged 41 scalps. He picked 5 wickets in the 1st Test.

Jofra Archer: He is England’s main bet and needs to deliver. He picked 2 scalps in the 1st Test. 

Player to watch out for (Joe Root): He is a world class Test player and England will count on his attributes.

Top Batters for Dream11

In terms of the Dream11 team pick, among batters, the likes of Steve Smith, Joe Root and Harry Brook can be wise picks alongside Travis Head and Ben Duckett.

Jamie Smith can be a differential pick. He promises quick runs and able partnerships. 

Best All-Rounders to Boost Points

In terms of all-rounders,  one can go with two sound options in the form of England skipper Ben Stokes and Australian powerhouse Cameron Green.

Bowlers to Watch in Dream11

With the surface expected to be aid pacers, go for quicks. The likes of Mitchell Starc, Jofra Archer and Scott Boland can be ideal picks. Spinner Nathan Lyon can be handy.

Captain and Vice-captain picks

Head can be an ideal captaincy option with Brook being the vice-captain pick. 

One can mix it with Starc being picked as captain and having Stokes as the vice-captain. 

Pitch Report & Venue Conditions 

One is expected to see a green top in Brisbane. With the pink ball on offer, pacers will get significant assistance. There will be lateral movement and bounce on offer for the pace bowlers. Batsmen will need to be wary of what’s thrown at them and take their time. The middle session, in particular, will challenge batsmen here in Brisbane with the pink ball causing issues under the lights. New ball will see bowlers get the desired help.

Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?

All things considered, both sides will be up for it on a surface that will assist pace. Both teams will have 4 pace options and a spinner. Australia will be slightly ahead given the dominance of Mitchell Starc in D/N Tests. Batting won’t be easy and sides need to step up and deliver.

FAQs About AUS vs ENG Playing 11

Who are the key players in the AUS vs ENG clash?

For the Aussies, Steve Smith will want to bring his A game. He has a sound record at home in Tests. For England, Joe Root can be ominous for Australia. He is a sheer run-scorer.

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