Australian players were involved in time-wasting tactics during the last few overs on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test against England at the Gabba. Captain Steve Smith was not ready to bat under lights, and he ran from the slip cordon to the bowler’s end to waste time.

He changed the field after every ball to ensure his batters did not face the English quicks in bowling-friendly conditions.

Surprisingly, the umpires didn’t say anything to the Aussies and allowed them to continue what they wanted to in the middle. From the 67th over to the 69th over, the hosts were not ready to complete the proceedings on time.

When England lost their 8th wicket on a score of 264 in the 67th over, Smith started running here and there to waste time. He was soon copied by other players, with Travis Head deciding to call for a helmet to field near the batter. Australian wicket-keeper Alex Carey took his time to come close to the stumps when Joe Root was on strike.

However, it fired up the Root and Jofra Archer, who struck boundaries and sixes to take the total to over 300 runs. Root, who hadn’t scored a hundred in Australia before the ongoing match, reached the three-digit mark in the third session of the day.

He was tested by the rival bowlers during the initial phase of his innings, but he became confident as the play progressed, amassing his 40th Test ton. The visitors posted 325/9 on the first day, with Root posting an unbeaten 135, with the help of 15 fours and 1 six. Archer scored 32 not out in 22 deliveries, including 2 sixes and 1 four.

Meanwhile, England supporters booed Australian players for wasting time. For the host nation, Mitchell Starc took 6 wickets, taking his tally to 16 in just three innings in the Ashes 2025-26.