Australia take lead in second Ashes test as England fumble at the Gabba

Dec 5 : Australia dominated day two of the second Ashes test on Friday with a punishing batting assault on a lifeless Gabba pitch as England shot themselves in the foot with five dropped catches.

Half-centuries for top-order batters Jake Weatherald (72), Marnus Labuschagne (65) and Steve Smith (61) made light work of England's first-innings 334 as Australia went to stumps at 378 for six with a 44-run lead.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey (46 not out) and tailender Michael Neser (15 not out) held firm through the last half-hour under the floodlights and will look to press home Australia's advantage on day three.

"It was a crucial last hour there for us," said number three batter Labuschagne, who scored his second fifty of the series.

"To get to the end of play six (wickets) down, it gives us a bit of time in the morning session and obviously pushes our bowling later into the night."

While England grabbed three wickets in the final session, they also spilled four catches under the lights.

Ben Duckett grassed two chances, the first reprieving Carey on zero after Carse sent a delivery pinging off the batter's gloves.

Moments later, number seven batter Josh Inglis (23) sent a shot flying through Duckett's hands in the gully.

The fumbling continued as Carse dropped Neser on six off a Jofra Archer ball before Joe Root reacted late to a nick in the slips from Carey when the wicketkeeper was on 25.

Root dropped the one-handed chance, denying pacer Gus Atkinson a first wicket in the series.

England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith set the tone early, though, dropping opener Travis Head on three when Archer caught his edge.

Head scored 33 before being caught trying to slog Carse over his head.

"We practise really hard," Root said of England's fielding.

"We