Brisbane, Dec. 4 -- England's star batter Joe Root's fifty and a decent cameo from Harry Brook powered England to 196/4 at the end of second session of the second Test against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane on Thursday.

Root brought up his 67th Test fifty; he added 20 runs along with England skipper Ben Stokes. For Australia, Mitchell Starc stood tall again, scalping three of the four visitors' wickets.

England started the second session at 98/2 in 24 overs, with Zak Crawley (61*) and Joe Root (32*) unbeaten on the crease.

Crawley continued to attack Australian bowlers as he slammed two fours off Brendan Doggett in the first over of the second session and brought up a 100-run stand with Root in the 25th over.

This was the second 100...