Joe Root scored his 41st Test ton but yet again, as in most of this Ashes, Australia ensured England didn't get into a commanding position. Travis Head (91*) and Marnus Labuschagne (48) put on a hefty 105-run partnership for the second wicket as the hosts ended Day 2 adrift of England's 384 by 218 runs, at 166 for 2. It was Root's 24th century since 2021 and has now put him level on Test hundreds with Ricky Ponting on 41. Only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45) are in front of him.

England resumed with Harry Brook and Root at 211 for 3 after only 45 overs were possible on Day 1. Scott Boland began with probing lines and picked up Brook in the third over of the day for 84. Mitchell Starc continued to have the better of Ben Stokes dismissing him for an 11-ball duck, the 14th dismissal of the English captain against the left-armer. An edge by Jamie Smith fell short off second slip as Australia were heaping the pressure on the visitors.

While Root moved into the nineties, Jamie began to accelerate through the gears beginning with a pull off Starc for a maximum. A couple of boundaries ensued in the subsequent overs as England moved past 250. After a couple of streaky shots falling short of the slip cauldron, Root brought up his second Test ton of the series to a standing ovation.

Jamie had a reprieve after drinks as Cameron Green overstepped after the batter hit one straight to the cover fielder, and he continued to slap deliveries to the fence with disdain while Root showcased his flicks through mid-wicket. Running out of ideas, Steve Smith turned to Labuschagne for a short-ball ploy which returned dividends immediately as Jamie made room but played his hop shot straight to Boland in the deep, breaking the 94-run stand on the stroke of Lunch.