Joe Root scores a sublime 160 as England finish 384 all out in their first innings as Australia close day two of fifth Ashes Test on 166-2 - but tourists are left worried over star's back injury
An ECB statement confirmed only that he was suffering 'some discomfort', while Root later said it was nothing worse than cramp.' And when Mitchell Starc removed Stokes for a duck, courtesy of a thin edge revealed by Australia's review, England were 229 for five. With less than 10 minutes before lunch, Australia had turned to the gentle seamers of Labuschagne, whose fourth ball was a half-tracker. Root left the field to handshakes from the Australians and a standing ovation from a crowd of over 46,000. But Head was in the mood, and Labuschagne tucked into the freebies on offer in a raucous second-wicket stand of 105 in 18 overs.
Source: Daily Mail January 05, 2026 11:07 UTC
