Australia have tightened their grip over England on day two of their first Ashes test at the Gabba

At stumps the hosts are 343 for seven with a lead of 196 runs.

Batsman Travis Head's been the standout performer for Australia - notching an unbeaten 112 from 95 balls.



Some explanation around questionable officiating that preceded Ben Stokes' no ball, that looked to have bowled out David Warner early on day two.

In the first session Stokes crashed the stumps to send Warner packing for 17.

However, replays revealed a clear no-ball and third umpire Paul Wilson recalled Warner to the middle.

It soon emerged Stokes also overstepped while bowling all three preceding balls, raising serious questions about the third umpire.

Those questions have been answered, somewhat, with the technology alerting officials of no balls confirmed to have broken down.



New Zealander Nico Porteous has started the season where he left off.

The world and X Games free-ski halfpipe champion has topped the qualifiers ahead of Saturday's final at the opening World Cup in Colorado.

Porteous scored 96 points out of a possible 100 in his first run - he describes a very complex routine.





Yanni Wetzell and the Breakers are contemplating a return home.

The New Zealand-based franchise have started selling tickets to home Australian NBL games in February on the presumption a travel bubble will open in the interim.

Wetzell is looking forward to debuting now he's recovered from a Covid infection - playing with rehabilitating captain Tom Abercrombie and donning the singlet at Spark Arena are also items on his bucket list.



The Breakers have a re-match with South East Melbourne tomorrow.