After an exciting opening day of The Ashes series in Brisbane, Australia’s annual first Test venue, Gabba, finally kicks off. Day-night Test match begins 4 December under lights at The Gabba.
The Guardian will offer live coverage throughout this series with an expert team from Australia and England led by Geoff Lemon.
Table of Contents
Day 1
On Thursday 4 December at The Gabba, Australia and England will start off the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes series with Test two of 2025/26 NRMA Ashes series against one another with pink ball match-up. Expect an epic battle over this iconic Ashes urn.
Gabba wickets usually begin as tricky surfaces for batsmen on day 1, but over the course of play become excellent batting surfaces for those who enjoy pace and bounce batting styles. Quick bowlers who know how to take advantage of its bounce are also adept at using its unique properties successfully.
Foxtel’s coverage, accessible via Kayo, will include the likes of Darren Lehmann and Adam Gilchrist alongside Allan Border, Brett Lee, Kerry O’Keeffe, Isa Guha and many more. New users can enjoy a free trial on Kayo’s streaming service with plans starting from $25 per month; plans offer live sports coverage such as cricket and F1.
Day 2
After rain significantly disrupted Australia’s first day at The Gabba, Australia had reached 28/0 by the close of play at The Gabba. Extended playing hours have been scheduled on subsequent days to compensate for lost time; however, rain remains forecast throughout this match.
On their first morning at The Gabba, England’s batsmen displayed little discipline as they struggled with its typical bounce, pace and carry. Australian quick bowlers quickly took advantage of its springy surface by exploiting its swing potential.
Carse’s wide end an ineffective over, as England struggle to keep up with the run rate and find themselves 3-1 down with only 149 to score on this wicket. Ben Stokes walks over and praises Head, saying he picked his moments well on this pitch; and adds that England will regroup before going onto Brisbane for their second Test which will use pink balls.
Day 3
Australia took control of Day 2 of the third IND vs AUS test at The Gabba with Travis Head and Steve Smith hitting centuries. Together, their pair shared a partnership of 241, before India clawed their way back with wickets of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne before Jasprit Bumrah finished off his fifth-wicket haul to claim victory.
Gabba wickets are notoriously hard, bouncy pitches that suit players who value pace, carry and bounce in their games. Quick bowlers may struggle with understanding its pace and bounce and tend to bowl short to counter it.
On 4 December, England and Australia resume their Ashes contest at Trent Bridge with another day-night Test under lights. England will hope to take advantage of these conditions to open strong in the Ashes campaign; however, Australia are highly competent with pink ball cricket and may pose a tough test.
Day 4
Australia maintained their hold over India at The Gabba despite rain-affected third day conditions at The Gabba. Their pace attack capitalised on favorable conditions to reduce Indian batting line-up – Mitchell Starc took wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, with Josh Hazlewood striking against Virat Kohli to leave them at 51/4 at stumps.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul appear to have an uphill task ahead of them to restore India’s fortunes; they need to score 195 runs on the final day to avoid follow ons and keep India out.
On 4 December, Australia is set to take on New Zealand in their second Test match at Melbourne Cricket Ground with day/night action involving pink balls. Australia are favourites heading into this one – you can follow all of the action live via Foxtel and Kayo.