Decoding Australia and England's record in Day-Night Tests
The second Test of the ongoing Ashes series between Australia and England will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 4. This is a day-night fixture and will be played with a pink ball. Notably, the Aussies lead the five-match series after winning the first Test by eight wickets. On this note, we decode Australia and England's record in Day-Night Tests.
13 wins in 14 games for Australia
As per ESPNcricinfo, Australia have played the most Day-Night Tests (14). While they have won 13 games, their only loss came against West Indies last year in Brisbane. Interestingly, the Aussies have played just one pink-ball game away from home, against West Indies in Kingston earlier this year. Eight of their games took place in Adelaide. While three games have taken place in Brisbane, Hobart and Perth have hosted one match apiece.
Starc is the highest wicket-taker in Day-Night Tests
Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc is comfortably the leading wicket-taker in pink-ball Tests. He owns 81 wickets at an average of just 17.08. The fast bowler owns five fifers in these games. His teammates Nathan Lyon (43), Pat Cummins (43), and Josh Hazlewood (40) follow Starc on this tally. Marnus Labuschagne is the leading run-scorer in these games, scoring 958 runs at 63.86 (100s: 4). Travis Head is the only other Aussie batter with multiple tons in Day-Night Tests (3).
What is England's record in these games?
England's record in Day-Night Tests is paltry to say the least as they have managed just two wins from seven games. They lost the other five fixtures. The Brits last played a pink-ball game in February 2023. Three of their Day-Night Tests have came in the Ashes - all Down Under. The English team lost all these affairs by a margin of 120 runs or more. Hence, Ben Stokes's team has a significant point to prove.
Who are England's top performers
With 501 runs at 38.53, Joe Root is England's leading run-scorer in these Tests. Among players in the current squad, only Stokes has over 150 runs in pink-ball Tests (212). However, he averages a paltry 19.27 in this regard. Mark Wood took nine wickets in his only pink-ball appearance. Jofra Archer is the only other specialist bowler in the current English camp to play a D/N Test. He took one wicket in his only fixture.
Australia and England's squads for the 2nd Test
Australia have retained the same squad from the first Test in Perth, with Steve Smith as captain. Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon are also part of the team despite their injuries during the first Test. Meanwhile, England might have to make a change due to Mark Wood's knee injury. They could either play a spinner like all-rounder Will Jacks or stick with their all-pace attack.