Ashes 2025-26 [WATCH]: Stuart Broad left stunned after Joe Root’s dismissal as Matthew Hayden mocks ex-pacer on day two of Perth Test

England‘s batting line-up suffered another bruising session on the second day of the Perth Test in the Ashes 2025-26and the moment Joe Racine came across once again Mitchell Starc sparked a whirlwind of reactions – none more dramatic than Stuart BroadStunned disbelief next to an amused one Matthew Hayden.

Joe Root falls cheaply again as England crumble under pressure

Root came into England’s second innings under pressure after a first-innings duck, but Australia wasted no time in tightening the screws. Starc, operating with pace and confidence, targeted the channel outside off stump – the very line that troubled Root on day one. The England veteran couldn’t resist the invitation, pushing on a delivery that went through him and slipped behind for just eight.

Root’s early exit dragged England to 76/5, leaving their innings in disarray and triggering a familiar feeling of vulnerability in the visiting camp. It was a moment that underlined Starc’s dominance and England’s inability to rebuild after repeated early blows.

Stuart Broad’s reaction goes viral as Matthey Hayden rises to the occasion

As the cameras moved to the commentary box, Broad’s face told the story of every England supporter – hands over his eyes, a deep exhale and a look of disbelief as he watched his close friend and former teammate return. Next to him, Hayden saw an opportunity and pounced with his trademark banter. With Alison Mitchell calling for dismissal, Hayden leaned into his microphone and threw a punch that shattered the sign.

“Stuart Broad, stay in the commentary box. You’re taking wickets galore”, Hayden joked, smiling as Broad looked away momentarily, clearly drained by the ongoing meltdown.

Broad’s expression wavered between shock, frustration and resignation, his muted reaction amplifying the emotion of the moment. Social media quickly lit up with clips of the exchange, with fans calling it one of the most notable off-court moments of the series thus far.

Here is the video:

Stuart Broad and Matthew Hayden get along wonderfully 😭#Ashes https://t.co/QyAAUQxrW8 pic.twitter.com/qYYr2iMNey

– 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 22, 2025

Also WATCH: Ashes 2025-26: Steve Smith takes a superb low catch to dismiss Ben Duckett on day two of the Perth Test

Mitchell Starc dismantles England before heading home to Australia thanks to Travis Head’s brilliant century

The drama surrounding Root’s dismissal was part of a larger subplot: Australia’s relentless control with the ball. Starc set the tone at the start of the day, first taking a superb takedown Zak Crawley then casting a devastating spell that represented Root and Ben Stokes. Scott Boland I joined the demolition work, chiseling Ben Duckett, Ollie PopeAnd Harry Brook with disciplined, stump-to-stump bowling.

England’s innings ended on 164, leaving Australia with a target of 205 – a target that looked par for the course on a busy surface, but the hosts made it look much more manageable. Any hope of a response from England was dashed within hours. Travis head bowled 123 off 83 balls, punishing anything loose and converting pressure into dominance. His innings, filled with 16 fours and four sixes, turned the chase into a procession. Marnus Labuschagne anchored the other end with an unbeaten 51, guiding Australia to an emphatic eight-wicket victory – remarkably clinched on the second day’s afternoon, leaving England reeling.

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: Fans erupt as Travis Head and Mitchell Starc guide Australia to dominant eight-wicket win over England in Perth to take 1-0 lead in Test series