Sky Sports Cricket Podcast The Ashes Daily: Australia battle back after Root's brilliant century
Jan 5, 2026
Day 2 of the 5th Ashes Test brought thrilling moments. Joe Root dazzled with a brilliant 160, earning high praise for his technique. England's first innings totaled 384, prompting discussions on pitch behavior and bowling effectiveness. Early dismissals raised eyebrows, while poor shot selections created debate. Travis Head shined with his batting and impressive fielding. The match outlook remains tense, with key decisions ahead as the pitch conditions are expected to change. Excitement builds for Day 3!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Root's Masterclass In Tough Conditions
- Joe Root played one of his best innings in Australia, showing superb balance and late play to reach a big hundred.
- Ath and Nass agree the century was technically excellent and came in tricky, quicker conditions.
Pitch Gave Bowlers Extra Movement
- England's 384 was competitive but the pitch showed more bounce and nip on Day 2, making batting trickier.
- Ath and Nass note England's bowling wasn't consistently good enough to exploit conditions fully.
Brook's Mistimed Shot Ends Early
- Ath calls Harry Brook's early dismissal a poor shot, neither defensive nor attacking, that left England exposed.
- Nass links Brook's error to the livelier pitch which made guiding shots riskier than the previous day.