The China Mail - Weatherald fires up as Australia race to 130-1 in second Ashes Test

In front of a big Gabba crowd in Brisbane, the hosts took on the attack with a slew of boundaries as they chase England's first-innings 334.

Weatherald, in only his second Test, slammed 10 fours and a six as he made a composed maiden Test half-century.

Head, Australia's wrecking-ball hero in the first Test at Perth, was the only wicket to fall, out for 33, with Marnus Labuschagne alongside Weatherald on 27.

It left Australia trailing by 204 after England were dismissed in the second over of the day with Joe Root unbeaten on 138.

They resumed on 325-9 after Root guided them from a precarious 5-2 with his maiden century on Australian soil and 40th overall in a gripping day one.

He added nine to the overnight score with partner Jofra Archer before the number 11 fell for a career-best 38, caught spectacularly by a diving Labuschagne in the deep off Brendan Doggett.

It ended a valuable 10th-wicket partnership of 70 -- a record for England at the Gabba.

Veteran Mitchell Starc took 6-75, surpassing Pakistan's Wasim Akram to become the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test history.

Head smashed an explosive 69-ball century to help Australia stun England by eight wickets in the first Test at Perth.

But he was more reserved this time after being retained as opener in place of the injured Usman Khawaja.

It took him 15 balls to get going before a huge escape on three when wicketkeeper Jamie Smith fluffed a sitter off an edge from Archer.

The scare woke him up and he let rip in the next over, banging 4-6-3, but his luck ran out when he sent an edge high to Gus Atkinson off Brydon Carse, with England breathing a sigh of relief as he walked off.

Weatherald quickly found his rhythm with a series of early boundaries, cutting and driving with ease.

Three of them came in five balls off Atkinson as the outfield ran fast and he brought up an impressive 50 from 45 balls with a single.

Z.Huang--ThChM