Weatherald's maiden half-century leads Australia to 130

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Jake Weatherald led a counterattacking start to Australia’s innings Friday, posting his maiden test half-century as the hosts reached 130-1 at the first interval on Day 2 in reply to England’s 334 in the second Ashes test.

Weatherald, who was out for a second-ball duck in his test debut last month in Perth, scored an unbeaten 59 and shared partnerships of 77 with Travis Head (33) and 53 with Marnus Labuschagne

Only two wickets fell in the first session — one for each team — in warm, bright afternoon conditions in the day-night match at the Gabba.

England resumed Day 2 at 325-9 and added nine runs in 14 balls before No. 11 Jofra Archer was dismissed, leaving Joe Root unbeaten on 138.

The No. 1-ranked batter in test cricket posted his maiden hundred in an Ash