Australia vs England, 2nd Ashes Test Day 1 Highlights: Joe Root Slams First Ton In Australia, Mitchell Starc Grabs 6; England 325/9 At Stumps

We are set for Australia's response. Jake Weatherald and Travis Head have walked out at the crease, facing off against Jofra Archer's first over. This is going to be a thrilling contest, with Archer looking to get an early breakthrough and Head aiming to build on his impressive century from the previous game. As the players take their positions, the crowd is buzzing with anticipation. Archer carries an explosive pace, but Head has already shown his class with the bat in the series opener. Will Archer's pace rattle Head, or will the Australian opener continue his good form? Let's get ready for the action to begin!

... SECOND INNINGS ...

One more positive for Australia with this quick clean-up is that they avoided a WTC points deduction for slow over-rate. Had England’s innings reached the 80-over mark, Australia would have incurred a penalty. A stiff challenge now awaits the home side, with the pink ball expected to talk early, while England will look to make the most of the conditions and apply immediate pressure before it gets soft and batting becomes easier. Back in a bit for the home side's reply.

Crawley and Root showed real application and character, but those who lacked patience and continued flirting outside the off stump struggled to make any meaningful impact. After being reduced to 264 for 9, the tourists were in danger of folding for under 300, but Root and Archer added valuable runs and, in the process, frustrated the Australians. As for Australia, with no Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins or Nathan Lyon in the attack, Mitchell Starc led the bowling effort superbly with a six wicket haul, but the lack of sustained support around him meant England were able to drag themselves to a competitive total.

9 runs added to the overnight score this morning, but the 10th wicket stand ultimately stretched to 70 runs, a partnership that could very well prove to be the difference in this game. After being reduced to 5/2, things could have spiralled badly for England, but in the end, they will gladly take this total of 334. Earlier, after opting to bat first and being dented early, Zak Crawley and Joe Root staged an excellent recovery. Crawley could not quite convert his start into a hundred, but Root did, raising his first Test century on Australian soil.

OUT! CAUGHT! Stunner from Marnus Labuschagne to wrap this England's innings on 334. Brendan Doggett continues to bend his back and bowls another short one, on middle and leg, Jofra Archer pulls this behind square on leg and was expecting some runs. Marnus Labuschagne glides to his right, jumps parallel to the ground and grabs it with an outstretched right hand. Marnus made sure that the ball didn't get grounded at any point and completed the catch.

Short pitched, on middle and leg, Joe Root fends this through the mid-wicket region for a single.

Good length wide of off, Jofra Archer leaves it all alone. 4 off Starc's first over of the day.

Back of a length on the pads, Jofra Archer gets behind the line of it and blocks it to mid-wicket.

Good length on off, Jofra Archer pushes this towards the cover fielder for a dot.

Short and wide of off, Jofra Archer looks to cut this over point but misses out.

FOUR! Tremendous stroke from Archer. Pitched up, wide of off, Jofra Archer stays back and leans low as he drives this through the cover region for a beautifully struck boundary. Jofra Archer is batting like a proper batter.

On a length around off, going across the batter. Jofra Archer blocks this to mid off.

Mitchell Starc (19-0-71-6) will steam in from the other end.

Four singles in the first over on day 2. Short pitched, around the badge on the helmet of Archer. JA pulls this flat towards deep square leg for one.

On a length around the pads, Joe Root gets onto his back foot and milks this through the square leg region for another single.

Back of a length around middle and leg, Jofra Archer slaps this towards the left of long leg for a single.

Bumper, around off, Jofra Archer ducks down on this.

First runs of the day for England. Good length, on middle and leg, Joe Root gets inside the line and pulls this to fine leg for a single.

Brendan Doggett starts day 2 with a short one, on off. Joe Root mistimes the pull just short of mid-wicket for no run.