Despite a huge loss in the series opener, England’s Brydon Carse says the tourists have reason for confidence heading into the second Ashes Test
Paceman Brydon Carse says England can take “massive” confidence into the second Ashes Test as they plan for the possibility of Travis Head reprising his damaging role at the top of the batting order.
As far as Carse is concerned, Head’s resplendent second-innings century was the difference between the sides in Australia’s eight-wicket victory at Optus Stadium.
England’s quicks neutralised the hosts following their hot start to the series opener, with Jofra Archer pushing 150km/h with the new ball and Ben Stokes’ part-time pace also yielding scalps.
It’s given the tourists a blueprint ahead of the day-night Test that begins at the Gabba on Thursday.
“I’d like to think there’ll certainly be moments in this game and throughout the series where we can have that sort of impact on the Australian batting line-up,” Carse said.
“Certainly, we’ve got to take massive amounts of confidence from that first day in Perth.
“Reflecting back on it in that second innings, someone played a phenomenal knock over a two-hour period.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to take your hats off to that.”
As speculation swirls over Usman Khawaja’s place in the Australian XI, England will plan for the possibility that it could be either he or Head partnering Jake Weatherald at the top.
Khawaja undertook light training at Monday’s optional session after back spasms in Perth forced him from the field and pushed Head to the top of the order.
“If (Head) does open the batting again, we’ve got set plans that we’ll look to use,” Carse said.
“I don’t think anything changes from our mindset.”
Only four players from the English team that lost in Perth have played in more than one day-night Test match.
Other than the two players who made their Test debuts in Perth, every member of the Australian XI has featured in four or more.
Australia’s mastery of the format – winning 13 of 14 day-night Tests they’ve played – has left the English to hit the books in an effort to beat the hosts at their own game.
“It certainly is very evident how their new-ball bowling goes with the new ball,” Carse said.
“They strike early and I think that’s going to be important.
“They’ve played some really good cricket with the pink ball. I’d like to say that we’ve had a look at their stuff that they’ve done over the years.”
2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes
First Test: Australia won by eight wickets
Second Test: December 4-8, The Gabba, Brisbane (D/N), 3pm AEDT
Third Test: December 17-21: Adelaide Oval, 10:30am AEDT
Fourth Test: December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne, 10:30am AEDT
Fifth Test: January 4-8: SCG, Sydney, 10:30am AEDT
Australia squad (second Test only): Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood
