Brydon Kearse is confident England can once again jolt Australia with their pace in the second day-night Ashes Test in Brisbane as the tourists look to level up the five-match series.
Last week in Perth, England’s batting slumped in both innings, resulting in an eight-wicket defeat within two days. However, a five-arrow seam attack rocked Australia in their opening knock, posting a combined speed of 132mph and an average speed of 88mph.
Kerse will be joined in the side by fellow seamers Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and captain Ben Stokes, with Bar Wood (knee injury) all likely to feature in the pink-ball match at The Gabba from Thursday (starting at 4am BST).
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Atherton says England need to bounce back in second Ashes Test or series will effectively be over
Kearse, who took four wickets in Perth, said: “I’d like to think there will be moments throughout this match and throughout the series that will have that kind of impact on Australia’s batting line-up.”
“We have to have a lot of confidence from day one in Perth. As a group of seamers, we all have different skills and attributes so hopefully we can continue to trouble the Australian batsmen.”
“It’s special to be part of a pace attack like this. We’ve definitely got some exciting players and bowlers that can hopefully change the game.”
Who will replace Wood in the Brisbane Test?
England could choose fellow player Josh Tan to replace Wood, or perhaps a spinner, either Shoaib Bashir or Will Jacks.
Australian left-arm quick Mitchell Starc has been the most prolific bowler in day-night Tests with 81 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 17.08, while off-spinner Nathan Ryan has proved that even slow bowlers can have an impact in pink-ball matches with 43 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 25.62.
Shoaib Bashir is a candidate to play in Brisbane if England opt for a spinner
Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton said: “We still have three-and-a-half hours in daylight before the lights come on, so I don’t think spinners will be taken out of the equation.”
Last week, Atherton’s Sky Sports pundit and former England captain Nasser Hussain said of Tan, who took 31 wickets in six Tests and averaged 30 with two five-wicket hauls.
“He’s quick enough and bowls the short ball well. He angles towards the offside and the ball looks like it’s coming in, then he tucks in and catches the batsman in the slips.”
“He creates good angles, is a real wicket-taker and will contribute to any team.”
Tan has taken 31 wickets and two five-fors in six Tests for England.
Kearse ‘adaptable’ in pink-ball Test
Australia have won 13 of their 14 day-night Tests, including all three against their Ashes rivals, while England have a record of two wins and five losses in seven pink-ball matches.
Kearse added: “It will be interesting to see what happens. The general consensus is that the ball will have a little more power in the twilight hours.”
“Looking back at some of the highlights from past matches played in Australia, their new-ball bowling is certainly very commendable.
“I would say they have played some really good cricket with the pink ball and we have seen some of the things they have achieved over the last few years.
“I will assess the situation as soon as I leave. I will still be able to adapt to whatever situation it brings.”
Brydon Kearse has been training with a pink ball ahead of the day-night game in Brisbane from Thursday.
Ashes Series in Australia 2025-26
always UK and Ireland
1st test (Perth – 21st to 25th November): Australia defeats England by 8 wickets 2nd Test (day/night): Thursday 4th December to Monday 8th December (4am) – The Gabba, Brisbane 3rd Test : Wednesday 17 December – Sunday 21 December (11:30pm) – Adelaide Oval Fourth Test: Thursday 25 December – Monday 29 December (11:30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground 5th Test: Sunday 4 January to Thursday 8 January (11:30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
