Brydon Carse endured a rollercoaster second day at the Gabba, surviving a barrage of criticism, producing one of the most expensive spells in England’s Test history, and somehow still managing to spark life into England’s fading Ashes hopes with two crucial wickets in one dramatic over.
For much of the day, the tall England seamer struggled to find rhythm or control. His lengths fluctuated between too short and too full, gifting Australia easy scoring opportunities and letting their top order seize firm control of the innings. By the time he completed 12 overs, Carse held the unwanted record for the most expensive figures by an England bowler who had delivered at least 10 overs in a Test innings. At that stage, he had 1-95 from 12 overs, leaking 7.92 runs per over — numbers well beyond what England expect from a frontline quick in an Ashes series.
The criticism was swift and unforgiving. In commentary, Mark Waugh summed up what many were thinking as Australia’s total surged.
“He's bowled poorly, he has not put two balls in the one spot in any over,” Waugh said.
“At this level, you've got to be better.
“The surface has just got enough in it and there's a little bit of up and down, so you don't have to try too much.
“You just have to bang that fullish length on that off-stump, but ... that's third-grade standard and all over the place.
“Sorry to those third-graders watching, but that is not great for a Test bowler.”
For Carse, it was a blunt assessment, but one that reflected England’s collective frustrations. Their lines lacked consistency, their lengths lacked purpose, and their early momentum from day one evaporated quickly. Only six of the first 110 balls bowled by England on day two were projected to hit the stumps — a staggering statistic in Test cricket, especially on a pitch offering occasional variable bounce.
But cricket often leaves room for redemption, and Carse found his in the space of a few deliveries.
A Dramatic Over That Changed Everything
Just when England seemed destined for a long, punishing day in the field, Carse produced an over that jolted the contest back to life. Australia were cruising, and Cameron Green and Steve Smith appeared set to take the match even further away from the visitors. But then came Carse’s 13th over — the turning point England desperately needed.
Cameron Green, on 45, miscued a loose shot and fell. Moments later, Steve Smith, who looked in complete command on 61, departed to another poor stroke. Both wickets were gifts, but Carse needed no apology. They shifted the momentum, lifted England’s spirits, and reminded Australia that dominance can be fragile.
Had Ben Duckett held onto a straightforward chance in the gully from Alex Carey’s first ball — a sharp, rising delivery from Carse — the bowler might have completed a heroic three-wicket over. Instead, the chance went down, and Carey made England regret it. He counterattacked with authority, finishing unbeaten on 46 off just 45 balls by stumps.
Australia closed the day at 6-378, building a lead of 44 runs and remaining firmly on top. Yet England, thanks to Carse’s timely resurgence, are still clinging to a foothold in the contest.
England’s Fielding Woes Add to the Pressure
While Carse’s spells fluctuated between chaotic and inspired, England’s fielding was consistently poor. The visitors dropped five catches throughout the day — four of those coming under the Gabba lights. It was a costly failure in a format where moments matter.
One of the few bright spots came when Will Jacks pulled off a stunning one-handed catch to remove Smith earlier in the innings. It was the type of effort that could have inspired a sharper team performance, but instead it stood alone as an exception.
Duckett’s missed chances were particularly damaging. Beyond the dropped catch in Carse’s over, he also shelled a chance from Josh Inglis, although that mistake cost England only two runs in the end. Jofra Archer, who bowled with admirable consistency after tea, should have dismissed Travis Head for three — only for Jamie Smith to spill a catch behind the stumps. Head eventually made 33 before falling, but the early reprieve had already tilted the momentum.
The frustration continued late in the day when Carse, looking to finish strongly, dropped a simple chance at mid-off that would have given Archer another wicket. Instead, Michael Neser survived, and Australia continued edging the game further in their favour.
Root Defends Preparations Despite Costly Errors
Despite the fielding capitulation, England’s first-innings centurion Joe Root rejected the suggestion that the drops reflected a lack of preparation. According to Root, the team trained extensively in the lead-up, specifically focusing on catching under lights.
"We worked as hard as we could in the lead-up. We had five days of prep and did a lot of catching," Root said.
"We made sure the two days we had under lights we utilised well. Sometimes they don't stick.
"We know when we play our best cricket, and when we execute well, we are a very difficult side to play against."
Root’s defence highlights England’s belief that the match is far from beyond reach. Carse’s eventual improvement — finishing with 3-113 from 17 overs, ranking as the seventh-most expensive figures in England’s Test history — demonstrated resilience, even if the early damage proved substantial.
A Day That Leaves the Ashes Hanging in the Balance
Australia remain in the stronger position heading into day three, but England have just enough in reserve to keep the Ashes battle alive. Carse’s dramatic turnaround, despite its imperfections, gave England hope at a moment when the game threatened to spiral completely out of control.
Now, the challenge for England is clear: tighten the bowling, sharpen the fielding, and build on the sliver of momentum rescued by Carse’s defining over. The Ashes may still be slipping away, but England have ensured they are not gone yet.
