AUS vs ENG Match Prediction : 2nd Match, The Ashes, 2025-26

Having secured an early advantage in the 5-match Ashes series, Australia will look to extend its lead as it hosts England for a pink-ball Test match starting later this week. The two teams will clash on Thursday at The Gabba in Brisbane.

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Australia vs England Head-to-Head Record

The two teams have faced each other in 362 matches to date. Australia is the dominant side with 153 victories compared to 112 for England. 97 matches ended in a draw.

Australia vs England Live-streaming and Broadcast

This match can be watched live on the JioHotstar App and the Star Sports Network.

You can find live odds, updated tips after every day's play, and more information about this match at ocbscores.com.

AUS vs ENG Team Previews

Australia

While the scorecard from Perth shows a memorable win, Australia’s batting fragility remains a concern that the Gabba pitch is likely to interrogate. The hosts will ride a wave of confidence, but the confirmed absence of Usman Khawaja due to back spasms forces a significant tactical reshuffle.

This opens the door for Travis Head to permanently seize the opening role after his brilliant second-innings century in Perth. We predict Head will continue his aggressive approach against the new ball, a high-risk strategy that could either dismantle England early or expose the middle order to the swinging pink ball.

This reshuffle places immense pressure on Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to convert their starts into "daddy hundreds," something they failed to do in the first Test but will be desperate to rectify under lights. Josh Inglis or Beau Webster will likely slot into the middle order to fill the void, with Inglis’ recent century against England Lions making him a strong candidate to add dynamism to the batting lineup.

On the bowling front, the heavy reliance on Mitchell Starc remains the primary narrative. His 10-wicket heroics in Perth papered over the cracks of an attack missing Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Starc must replicate that dominance to protect the inexperienced support cast of Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett.

If England can neutralize Starc early, Australia’s bowling depth will be severely tested.

However, Nathan Lyon is expected to bounce back strongly; it is rare for the veteran spinner to go wicketless, and the extra bounce at the Gabba combined with the pink ball's characteristics under lights should see him play a much larger role in controlling England’s middle order this time around.

Australia Expected Playing 11

Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (WK), Josh Inglis/Beau Webster, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc (C), Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon

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England

England’s "Bazball" philosophy faces a stern examination at the Gabba, a venue where visiting dreams often go to die. Their inability to seize key moments in Perth suggests they need a tactical shift, and they have responded with a bold selection gamble.

The injury to Mark Wood has forced a change, but rather than a like-for-like pacer, England has recalled all-rounder Will Jacks for his first Test in three years. This move signals a shift away from a four-prong pace attack to a more balanced side that bats deeper.

We predict Jacks will be used as a holding option to allow the seamers to rotate, but his lack of recent red-ball bowling form—taking only five wickets in the last two seasons—is a massive risk against Australia's top order. Shoaib Bashir’s exclusion is a significant statement, suggesting England prioritizes batting depth over specialist spin for this day-night encounter.

The batting unit remains England’s strongest suit on paper, but they must adapt quickly to the bounce of the Gabba under lights. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will have the difficult task of weathering the new ball against Starc, which is essential to protecting the middle order.

With Jacks at No. 8, the batting order looks formidable, giving Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ollie Pope the license to attack without fear of a tail-end collapse. However, the pressure is now squarely on the seamers—Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Jofra Archer—to adjust their lengths.

They must pitch the ball up to exploit the pink ball's swing rather than relying on the short-ball tactics that failed them in Perth. If this gamble on Jacks fails to provide control with the ball, Ben Stokes will have to shoulder a heavy bowling load, a scenario that could break England physically and mentally in the Brisbane heat.

England Expected Playing 11

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer

AUS vs ENG Toss Prediction

7 of the last 10 matches played here were won by teams bowling first, while one ended in a draw. Only two were won after batting first. We, therefore, think that bowling first might be a better option.

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

We are expecting a balanced pitch for this match. There will be some moisture under the surface for the first couple of days, and the quicker bowlers will get plenty of movement off the seam. However, as the match progresses, the surface is likely to dry out and get better for batting.

The spinners need to pitch the ball in the right areas. Since this is a Day/Night match, batting under the lights could be a challenge. The weather is likely to remain clear for the first three days with plenty of sunshine. However, we could see some rain on the final day.

AUS vs ENG: Who Will Win?

Australia starts this match as the favourites to win. They dominated England with the ball, and with another seamer-friendly surface on the cards, we expect Australia to have an advantage. England needs to do much better with the bat and the ball if they want to win here.

Bet on Australia to win.