Weatherald makes half-century in fast start for Aussies

Travis Head could not reprise his heroics from the series opener, but Australia's batters have nevertheless made a hot start to the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.

Head's opening partner Jake Weatherald brought up a maiden Test half-century on Friday as Australia raced their way to 1-130 at the day-two tea break in reply to England's 334.

Playing only his second match in the baggy green, Weatherald (59no from 56 balls) was unbeaten alongside Marnus Labuschagne (27no from 29 balls) at the crease.

Weatherald's 50, brought up in 45 balls just before tea, was the second-fastest by an Australian Test opener at the Gabba - one ball slower than David Warner's 2015 effort against New Zealand.

In a bustling first session at the crease in the day-night Test, Australia slapped 20 boundaries in 21 overs to punish some loose English bowling.

Fox Sports stats showed only six of England's first 110 deliveries would have hit the stumps.

After plenty of debate about the opening partnership since Warner's retirement, Head and Weatherald showed glimpses they could be the duo to take Australia forward.

The pair withstood the new ball in style, Weatherald the chief aggressor from the get-go as Head began slow and steady.

Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith spilt Head on three runs from a very disappointed Jofra Archer (0-9).

The pair both began cutting loose after the first bowling change, when Brydon Carse (1-45) and Ben Stokes (0-32) came in for punishment.

Just after drinks, Weatherald flexed back to flick Carse over third man for six in a real highlight from the Darwin-born left-hander.

Weatherald showed off his arsenal of cricket shots, with a beautiful cover drive for four off Gus Atkinson (0-23) another high point earlier in the innings.

Hoping to recover from his dismal run-out with the bat, Stokes found himself slapped for four by Head in the space of three balls in his second over.

Head, too, had a six off Carse over third man as the hosts piled on the pain.

Head's luck finally ran out when he skied a full Carse delivery to Atkinson at mid-on, leaving in self-admonishment after his first dig since a game-defining century in Perth. He had made 33 off 43 balls in Brisbane on Friday.

Earlier, right-arm paceman Brendan Doggett took England's last remaining wicket within 15 minutes of play resuming.

No.11 Archer (38 off 36 balls, two fours, two sixes) pulled a Doggett short ball to Labuschagne, who took a diving catch in the deep on the leg-side.

England had gone to stumps at 9-325 on Thursday, opting not to declare and force Australia to face the new ball under lights.

But the big call paid off as Joe Root (138no) and Archer shared a 70-run stand for the final wicket that appeared to have pushed the tourists ahead of the game.

No side batting first in a day-night Test match has lost when setting as high a first-innings total as England's 334.

South Africa's 9-259 declared from the 2016 day-nighter against Australia is the highest first-innings score for a team that batted first and went on to lose.

By bowling England out within 80 overs, Australia avoided potential WTC penalty points that could have been accrued for their slow over rate.

The hosts went to stumps on day one eight overs behind, in no small part due to their decision to drop offspinner Nathan Lyon and field an all-pace attack.