The ball will be different in the second Ashes Test and England will also be hoping for a different result.
After succumbing to Perth’s Red Kingfishers in the series opener, Ben Stokes’ side will take on Australia in a pink-ball match at The Gabba in Brisbane from Thursday.
Ahead of that match starting at 4am UK time, let’s take a look at the key questions about the day-night Test and why the stats suggest England have their work cut out…
What is the significance of day-night Test cricket?
The idea is, or was, to attract larger crowds to the longest format of the match, mainly in places where attendance numbers have been reduced.
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England’s all-time leading scorer Joe Root says he is confident of rediscovering his touch, although he questions the need for a pink-ball Ashes Test.
It is debatable whether a pink-ball match is necessary for the Test in an Ashes, which has not been a serious series, with England manager Joe Root saying there was no need for it.
Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton is not a fan, but admits day and night are an important part of the Australian summer.
The game adds even more intrigue to an already headline-grabbing fixture and one that England, who found themselves 1-0 down in the five-match series following the implosion in Perth, really look like they can win.
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Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton says England need to bounce back in the second Ashes Test or the series is effectively over.
How did England fare in the pink-ball Test?
I can’t say it’s great.
They had their first victory (beating West Indies by an innings and 209 runs, taking 19 wickets on the third day at Edgbaston in August 2017) and their most recent victory (beating New Zealand by 267 runs at Tauranga in February 2023), but in between those dramatic wins they suffered five consecutive defeats, including against Australia.
Ollie Robinson was bowled by Pat Cummins in the final Ashes Test of the 2021/22 series in Hobart as the hosts won the series 4-0.
England suffered heavy defeats in Adelaide in 2017 and 2021, but were beaten by 146 points in Hobart in the final away Ashes series four years ago. Defeat was sealed when Ollie Robinson retreated to the leg side, just at the cut strip, and was bowled by Pat Cummins.
England’s other two pink-ball attacks were against India in Ahmedabad in February 2021 (where they opted for a seam-heavy attack, lost 19 wickets to spin and lost within two days) and against New Zealand in Auckland in March 2018, which included being bundled out for 58 in their first dig after an innings thrashing. At one point, they had 27 wins and 9 losses.
What about diurnal Australia?
Australis finished 27th after beating the West Indies in the final day-night Test in Jamaica in July.
These guys are pink ball wizards. Australia have won 13 of the 14 day-night Tests, with their only blemish coming when they succumbed to Shamar Joseph at home to West Indies in January 2024. The fact that Australia lost at the Gabba, where this Ashes pink bowler is playing, may give England a modicum of solace.
But home batsman Marnus Labuschagne feels his side probably have the advantage as Australia are far more experienced in this format and England have not played a pink-ball Test for three years.
“It’s something that Australia has been very good at,” said Labuschagne, who averages 63.86 points in day-night games. “We’ve taken the time to learn the different moments of the game and how to play them. Hopefully that will be an advantage for us in this match.”
How will the situation affect cricket?
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Atherton and fellow Sky Sports pundit Nasser Hussain discuss what key differences there are with the pink ball
Passing the Pink Ball Tests often involve the ball flying around under the lights or during twilight hours (when floodlights replace natural light), leaving the bowler in control.
The match in Brisbane will start at 2pm local time, meaning the sun will set during the second session, making it almost evenly split between day and night.
Former England seamer Stuart Broad has advised “winning the toss and bat” to ensure bowlers are in top condition before being replaced later, and Sky Sports pundit Michael Atherton said he would not be surprised if a pinch-hitter is used in a situation where the batting is doing well.
Travis Head started Australia’s second innings in Perth, smashing a 69-ball 100, the second-fastest in Ashes history, but ultimately finished with 123 off 83 balls, an innings that included 16 fours and four sixes.
Australia will no doubt be tempted to stay on top again, especially in a match where quick runs could be important.
Who were the stars of the pink-ball Test?
Australia’s Mitchell Starc leads the day and night games with 81 wickets
Australian left-arm quick Mitchell Starc was the star of the pink-ball Tests, taking 81 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 17.08. That included six wins and nine losses in 7.3 overs on a day-night tour of the Caribbean in July, when West Indies were torpedoed for their 27th win.
Labuschagne said of Starc: “Is he the best bowler in the world with the pink ball? I think the statistics probably say so. I think being left-handed, swinging at a high pace and swinging slowly makes him very dangerous. And also because he swings slower and more erratic with the pink ball, he’s difficult to line up.”
Australia’s off-spinner Nathan Ryan has taken the second-highest number of wickets in pink-ball Tests – his 43 scalps equal the still-absent Pat Cummins – so will this statistic convince England, who opted for an all-seam front attack in Perth, to play spinners?
Shoaib Bashir or all-rounder Will Jacks are the slow bowling options, and Jacks’ selection will also strengthen the bottom order of the batting line-up.
Labuschagne was the top scorer in the pink-ball Test, scoring 958 runs in nine matches, including 400 and 450 runs. Teammate Steve Smith has 815 points in 13 games, while Head has 719 points in 10 games, ranking fourth behind the now-retired David Warner (753 points in nine games). Root is England’s top pink-ball scorer (501 runs in 7 games).
Marnus Labuschagne scores over 900 runs in day-night Tests
Have you had lunch? How about some tea?
The structure of the session is the same as a normal Test match, with a 40-minute interval after the first two hours, followed by a 20-minute break after a further two hours. The only difference is that the break will be dinner and tea instead of lunch and tea.
Finally, what does Steve Smith wear under his eyes?
Ah, you noticed the “black eye”.
Australia’s Steve Smith wore ‘eye black’ in training ahead of pink-ball Ashes Test
These strips, which Smith hit on the net ahead of this game, are designed to reduce glare.
Former West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul regularly wore the shoes during his playing days, and Smith was trialling them ahead of the possibility of batting under the lights in Brisbane.
Mr Labuschagne told the media that Mr Smith was experimenting with ‘black eyes’, saying: “There has to be some science and theory behind it.”
“I look at it one way or the other. Is there science behind it or is it a placebo? If you feel it works, it works either way.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing him walk around with the Shivnarins and thrash them everywhere.”
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
