Marnus Labuschagne delivered one of the standout moments of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, producing a breathtaking outfield catch that instantly entered the conversation for one of the most excellent grabs in Ashes history. On Day 2, with the pink ball swirling under Brisbane’s morning sky, Labuschagne’s full-stretch dive ended Jofra Archer’s resistance and wrapped up England’s first innings in dramatic fashion.
The wicket officially went to Brendan Doggett, but anyone watching the moment knew the real credit belonged to Labuschagne. Doggett banged in a short ball aimed at unsettling Archer, who had swung the previous evening freely and helped England push past the 300-run mark.
The England tail-ender, batting with unexpected flair, attempted a mighty pull shot in just the third over of the day. But he couldn’t quite generate enough power to clear the ropes. The ball sailed toward deep fine leg, an area left unguarded. Labuschagne, stationed at mid-wicket, instantly sensed the opportunity. He sprinted across the turf, covered an extraordinary amount of ground, and launched into a full-length dive to his right.
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Even after landing, he had to extend his right arm mid-air to secure the pink ball cleanly—a moment of athletic brilliance that lifted the Australians and sent the Gabba crowd roaring. The breakthrough came at a crucial time. The 10th-wicket stand between centurion Joe Root and Archer had grown to 60 runs, shifting momentum England’s way.
Two magnificent catches, but which one was better out of Glenn McGrath and Marnus Labuschagne? #Ashes pic.twitter.com/znTrnpXNj6
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 5, 2025
Marnus Labuschagne’s catch not only halted the run flow but also rescued Australia from further frustration, with Archer batting on an attacking 38 off 36 balls, having already smashed two boundaries and two sixes. Cricket Australia stirred an immediate debate by sharing a throwback clip of Glenn McGrath’s iconic diving catch to dismiss Michael Vaughan in the 2002 Adelaide Test. Fans were quick to compare the two moments, many arguing that Labuschagne’s grab was even better given the distance covered and the athleticism required.
England’s innings eventually closed at 334—their highest first-innings total in a pink-ball Ashes encounter—marking a significant comeback after the disaster in Perth, where the first Test finished inside two days. Leading the charge was Joe Root, who finally broke his long-standing drought in Australia by registering his maiden Test century on these shores.
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Root’s unbeaten 138 was a masterclass in controlled aggression, grit, and adaptability. His 15 boundaries and a six highlighted his ability to shift gears depending on conditions, especially when the lights made batting considerably tougher on Day 1. However, England will still feel the need for greater support around Root, as only Zak Crawley contributed a sizeable score with his 78. On the Australian side, Mitchell Starc once again led from the front, claiming a superb 6 for 75 in 20 overs—a spell that not only rattled England but also pushed him past Wasim Akram to become the highest wicket-taking left-arm fast bowler in Test history.
