- Live stream The Ashes 2nd Test for *FREE* on 7Plus
- Unblock your stream with NordVPN (75% OFF)
- 2nd Test: December 4-8, daily start times: 4am GMT / 2pm AEST / 11pm ET (day before)
Before this series began, the Ashes 2nd Test in Brisbane looked set to be England’s toughest challenge of the five matches. It is a day-night Test, played with a pink ball at a ground where England have the lowest win percentage among Australia’s current Test venues.
Although Australia lost their only previous pink-ball Test in Brisbane, against the West Indies in 2023, they have won their other 13. England, by contrast, are both less familiar with and less successful in the format: they have played seven pink-ball Tests and lost five. Two of England’s likely eleven, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith, have never even played first-class cricket with a pink ball.
Batting in pink-ball Tests becomes trickier as floodlights come on and twilight descends. This is when the most dramatic cricket tends to happen. With a 2pm start in Brisbane, the evening session will play out in prime time in Australia and on UK screens from 9am.
The early part of each day is normally the easiest time to bat. Joe Root, who has played in all of England’s pink-ball Tests, says of this period: “It can feel quite placid, and you can feel out of the game with the ball. With the bat, it’s about recognising those moments and making the most of them knowing when to put the foot down and maximise the good batting conditions.”
England’s Bazballers hardly need an excuse to attack, but this represents a prime opportunity. They will certainly be wary of facing Mitchell Starc — the world’s most successful bowler with the pink ball — under floodlights. Another potentially dramatic Test match is in prospect as we head to The Gabba.
Read on as we explain how to watch the 2nd Ashes Test 2025/26 between Australia and England from anywhere in the world, including free options.
How to watch The Ashes 2nd Test 2025/26 for free
Use a VPN to watch any Ashes stream
If you’re keen to watch the cricket but you’re away from home and your preferred coverage is geo-blocked, you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you’re not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
There are lots of VPNs but NordVPN is the one you can rely on to unblock streaming platforms – and right now you can save 75%.
How to watch Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test 2025/26 live streams in the US
In the US, Willow TV will show the 2nd Test of The Ashes between Australia and England.
Don’t have it as part of your cable package? you can watch Willow coverage through your choice of Sling TV’s Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans – starting from $10 per month.
Visiting the US from Oz? Use NordVPN to watch the free stream of Australia vs England live from The Gabba.
How to watch Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test 2025/26 live streams in the UK
In the UK, TNT Sports will be broadcasting the 2nd Ashes Test with coverage starting at 4am GMT.
To access TNT Sports, you’ll either need to add it to your TV package, or you can take out a standalone subscription via Discovery+, which will set you back from £30.99 per month.
For those outside of Blighty you can use NordVPN to access TNT Sports’ stream while you’re out of the country.
How to watch Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test 2025/26 live streams in India
To watch England vs Australia at The Gabba you’ll need Star Sports, or the JioHotstar app to watch on mobile devices. Prices start at Rs. 299 ($3.49) for Hotstar.
Australian resident visiting India? Use NordVPN to access 7Plus’ free stream while away from home.
How to watch Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test 2025/26 live streams in Australia
As alluded to earlier, Channel 7 are broadcasting the series free on television and via its streaming service 7Plus, including the 2nd Test.
Fox Sports is another option for the 2nd Test. The most cost-efficient option to see their coverage is specialist sports streamer Kayo Sports, with plans starting from $30 a month after you’ve taken advantage of its first month from $1 offer or 7-day free trial.
Remember if you’re out of Australia at all during The day-night test get yourself a VPN to stream 7Plus from anywhere in the world.
How to watch Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test 2025/26 live streams in South Africa
Supersport will be showing the 2nd Test between Australia and England in South Africa.
You’ll need to get a DStv access package to watch with prices starting at Rs99/month for the streaming version.
Abroad right now? Just use a VPN and tell your device that you’re back home and you’ll be good to go.
How to watch Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test 2025/26 live streams in New Zealand
Sky Sport NZ will be broadcasting the 2nd Ashes Test in New Zealand.
You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.
Those outside of New Zealand for the pink ball Test can use NordVPN to gain access to their home streaming service.
The Ashes Test 2 Q+A
What time does play start in the Australia v England 2nd Test?
Play in the Brisbane Test at The Gabba is scheduled to start at 11pm ET (day before) / 4am GMT / 2pm AEST / 3pm AEDT / 9:30am IST / 6am SAST each day.
What are the teams for the 2nd Ashes test?
England have announced their starting XI with Will Jacks coming in for the injured Mark Wood. Australia are yet to announce their team, but Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins will both miss out with back issues. Captain Cummins is expected to return in Adelaide.
Australia squad: Steve Smith (capt), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer,
Australia v England at Brisbane Cricket Ground
▶︎ Played: 22
🇦🇺 Australia wins: 13
🏴 England wins: 4
❌ Draws: 5
Player to watch: Mitchell Starc
The 35-year-old leader of Australia’s attack was Player of the Match in the 1st Test for taking 10 wickets. In 14 pink-ball test matches he has snared 81 wickets at 17 runs a piece. In comparison, in red-ball test matches, he has 331 wickets at average of 29.
Why is Brisbane Cricket Ground called ‘The Gabba’?
Brisbane Cricket Ground is nicknamed ‘The Gabba’ due to the stadium being in the Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba.
Can I listen to The 2nd Ashes Test?
Yes. The UK’s iconic Test Match Special will be broadcasting ball-by-ball coverage on Radio 5 Sports Extra from 3:25am GMT. Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, Glenn McGrath and a host of other top stars will all be giving their opinions.
And if you miss the day’s play, don’t forget to listen to the TMS Podcast afterwards.
To access this you will need a BBC account and if you’re out of the UK at any point during the Test match series then make sure to use NordVPN.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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