After a wide over Green’s head, Carse double-bluffed Australia’s No.5, who was playing so well, by firing one straight at his stumps. Green had attempted to give himself room to hit out, but lost balance moving to the leg side and couldn’t get bat on ball.
A blow to the finger may have been affecting him.
Brydon Carse bowls Cameron Green. Credit: Getty Images
Next ball, Carey was dropped by Ben Duckett, and two later, Smith was out to a stunning catch from Will Jacks, who plucked the ball from behind him at deep backward square. Having bowled just the one over, the onus had been on Jacks to make himself useful in this match.
Australia’s push to remain ruthless nearly unravelled, but steady and late contributions from Carey (46 not out), Josh Inglis (23) and Neser (15 not out) ensured the home side converted their platform with three days remaining.
After a duck and 23 on debut, Weatherald’s approach was the closest thing Australia has seen to David Warner since the opener’s Test retirement nearly two years ago. He was bullish outside off stump and played with the freedom of a player with real confidence in his game, cracking 12 fours and a six.
Australia were 0-0 off 20 balls before unleashing a blistering counter-attack ahead of the main 40-minute break.
Jake Weatherald cuts.Credit: Getty Images
By the first interval, Australia had surged to 1-130 from 21 overs, with Weatherald producing a maiden Test half century in his second game and finishing the session unbeaten on 59 from 56 balls.
Travis Head, retained at the top of the order after his match-winning performance in Perth, contributed 33 but should have fallen on three when wicketkeeper Jamie Smith dropped a regulation edge off Archer.
All afternoon and evening, the Brisbane crowd taunted Smith whenever he touched the ball again.
Australia’s opening stand of 77 ended when Head miscued a shot off Carse into the leg side, which was taken comfortably by Gus Atkinson.
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Weatherald eventually departed for a punchy 72 off 78 balls to solidify his spot at the top of the order, while Labuschagne passed 1000 runs in pink balls Tests – the first player in Tests to do so – with a crucial 65.
“It’s an absolute disaster,” former England paceman Stuart Broad said on Channel Seven of the tourists’ bowling effort. “They just look like they’re short of match awareness, match fitness and the sharpness in the brain to be able to bowl six balls in the same spot.
Meanwhile, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has suffered another injury setback, casting fresh doubt over his availability for the remainder of the Ashes series and prolonging what has become a deeply frustrating run.
This masthead revealed Hazlewood, who has been managing a hamstring injury he suffered during a Sheffield Shield match last month for NSW against Victoria, has picked up a fresh low-grade Achilles injury.
Josh Hazlewood has suffered another injury setback.Credit: AP
Cricket Australia confirmed the news on Friday afternoon during play on day two of the second Test at the Gabba.
A return-to-play timeline has not been set, but Hazlewood is expected to resume running and bowling next week if the Achilles complaint settles. Even so, the latest issue is an inconvenient delay for a bowler who has not featured in either of the opening two Tests and was already racing the clock to prove his fitness.
Hazlewood had been booked to travel to Brisbane this week to rejoin the Australian squad and continue his rehabilitation, but the trip was cancelled after he reported soreness. He will remain in Sydney for now, placing his involvement in the rest of the series in some doubt.
The third Test against England begins on December 17 in Adelaide, but there are concerns Hazlewood might not be available until the fourth Test at the MCG or beyond.
“Josh Hazlewood reported Achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from a recent hamstring injury,” a CA spokesperson said in a statement. “It is a low-grade issue, and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week.”
Hazlewood had been back bowling in the nets in recent days but the latest injury has pushed back a potential return to play date.
Regular skipper Pat Cummins is poised to return for Australia in the third Test in Adelaide but the absence of Hazlewood is less than ideal for the home side, particularly given the 34-year-old’s injury history in recent years.
