England recover from horror start to smash pink-ball Test record at the ‘Gabbatoir’

England recovered from an awful start in the second Ashes Test to smash a new record.

After an embarrassing first match defeat, England are in Brisbane for the infamous pink-ball Test, and they’ve not found it easy going so far.

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Mitchell Starc struck inside the first over again to remove Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope was out for a duck as well moments later.

But Zak Crawley and Joe Root guided the visitors to 98-2 at tea, which is the most runs in the first session of a day-night Test in Australia.

This covers 14 full games since the concept was introduced in the 2010s.

It is exactly what England needed after being 5-2 when Pope went and looking to be in real trouble.

But Crawley put his woes from Perth behind him to score a rapid half-century, while Root was happy to let the opener take the majority of the strike.

It was an example of ‘Bazball’ at its best, though, all of England’s top five have now recorded a duck, and they have only batted three innings across the series.

However, Crawley and Root reaching tea was England’s biggest partnership of the series, and it was actually longer than any of Australia’s in the last match as well.

Crawley has now gone, but he and Root put on 117, and England are in a good position.

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Crawley proves his worth

After two back-to-back ducks in the first Test at Perth, Crawley’s place in the team was arguably under threat, while Steve Harmison scored him lowly.

It is fair to say that he would have been under immense pressure coming out at The Gabba, or ‘Gabbatoir’ given England’s horrendous record there.

In the build-up to the Test, Crawley took part in no media duties, electing to leave the talking to others.

But he started with intent and scored five in the first over to bring Duckett on strike.

This is where Starc struck, securing the 26th wicket of his career inside the first over.

Pope soon followed, meaning the pressure on Crawley was more than likely intensified.

But the response from him was excellent and exactly what England needed.

He smashed 76 from 93 balls, including 11 fours, but he will be annoyed at the way he got out.

It was a bit of a nothing shot that clipped the edge and was gathered by Alex Carey behind the wicket.

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The toss is crucial

England won the toss again, and it is widely recognised that this is crucial in the pink-ball Test.

At the moment, the pitch is flat, and England are going along nicely with Root and Harry Brook at the crease.

However, the twilight period is fast approaching, and the hosts are saving Starc.

Once again, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood miss out for Australia, so all of the pressure will be on Starc to deliver once it goes dark, which could prove crucial.