Australia dominated proceedings early on after England opted to bat in the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday. Mitchell Starc dismissed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope in his first two overs to reduce the visitors to 5/2 inside three overs.
However, Zak Crawley and Joe Root reaired the England innings with a 117-run partnership before the former departed for a well-made 76. Though Joe Root completed his maiden Test century on Australian soil, he did not receive any support from the other end as the batting side kept losing wickets to be placed at a bothering 251/7.
Starc was on a hot streak in his latest spell, with the wicket of Will Jacks, and he produced another to complete his five-wicket haul. He cramped Gus Atkinson for room, bowling a short of a length delivery around the leg stump.
The batter top-edged the pink cherry while trying to go for a short-arm jab with the ball flying miles high behind the wicket. An alert wicketkeeper Alex Carey immediately started sprinting backwards, with slip fielder Marnus Labuschagne also giving him company during his run.
Somewhere it appeared that both players would collide and spoil Starc’s fifer party, but Carey had his eyes on the ball as he completed a brilliant catch diving backwards. He was unaffected by Labuschagne’s presence, who also slid to end close to the wicketkeeper when the catch was taken.
Labuschagne made amends for his wrongful intrusion by hugging Carey once the catch was completed, with the wicketkeeper happily smiling at him after pouching a stunner. Twitter was in awe of Carey’s focus to end Atkinson’s stay and gift the left-arm pacer his fifer at the Gabba.
That’s good
— Symonds (@Symonds716624) December 4, 2025
Really?
Marnus trying to sabotage that Carey catch. pic.twitter.com/zFlOG3p7rB
— Jon Tuxworth (@Tuxy81) December 4, 2025
Did he
Did Marnus and Carey ‘purposely’ not go for that catch off Archer than , as they don’t want to bat tonight by the time wasting going on #Ashes
— GK Coach Adam (@gkcoachadam) December 4, 2025
Superb
Starcy 5-fer and what a catch from Alex Carey !!!!!! 😰 #Adhes
— Red Devils (@OldTraffordMen) December 4, 2025
Gun keeper
Alex Carey is a gun of a keeper, he grabs overhead wides at the stumps speeding in the mid‑130s, then sprints back full tilt, stretches into a full‑length dive, and takes another catch as if it were a walk in the park. #AUSvsENG #ashes
— Perspective. (@CricNotions) December 4, 2025
Incredible
Incredible catch from Alex Carey. Shades of Andy Pages in the World Series #TheAshes pic.twitter.com/PUvKT3dvVP
— Dave Collins (@DavidCollinsAU) December 4, 2025
Fantastic
Absolute pearler of a catch! Carey has been 100% on the money the whole innings. Masterful keeping https://t.co/Ipgb98uEA5
— Bia (@wa_wargoddess) December 4, 2025
Outstanding
Outstanding catch from Alex Carey, and another five-for for Mitchell Starc.
Twilight and pink ball is a crazy combination. More pink ball tests please. #Ashes25
— Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) December 4, 2025
Great One
Great catch Alex Carey. Great smile Marcus Labuschagne.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/yMF7bfAVdT
— Ross Cameron (@RossCameron4) December 4, 2025
Phenomenal
This is phenomenal stuff. Carey almost kissed Marnus on his way to completing a splendid catch.#Ashes #AusvsEng
— Rohan महाजन (@mahajanrohan99) December 4, 2025
