England's sloppy fielding display costs them dearly as Australia pushes ahead with lead on day two

Australia has pushed in front of England in the second Test at the Gabba despite a see-sawing final session that almost tipped the scales back in England's favour.

Early on day two, England was bowled out for 334 thanks to a spectacular diving catch from Marnus Labuschagne which sent Jofra Archer (38) on his way. Joe Root finished not out on 138.

The Aussies were then in cruise control at 3-291 until a rash shot from Cameron Green opened the gate for England.

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AS IT HAPPENED: The Ashes second Test, day two

Australia was batting aggressively as the lead neared but Green's effort was described as "baffling" by David Warner after he gave himself too much room with Brydon Carse clean bowling him.

Carse at the time was struggling with his figures 1-95 off 12 overs.

Mark Waugh had described his bowling as "third grade" at one stage.

During the second session, Carse's bowling map was all over the place with his figures 1-54 after 6.1 overs during the comments.

Carse had struggled for any rhythm with Marnus Labuschagne ticking the score over for Australia.

"That's third grade standard, that's all over the place ... that's not great for a Test bowler," he said on Fox Cricket.

Labuschagne looked like he might be on his way to his first century since being recalled but fell for 65 when he was caught behind off Ben Stokes' bowling.

Jake Weatherald also missed out on a maiden Test century, trapped in front by Jofra Archer for 72.

Travis Head (33) was the first to fall in Australia's innings with Jamie Smith breathing a big sigh of relief having dropped him on 3.

In the final session on day two, Jofra Archer started and his speeds were noticeably down.

The fast bowler started with a 129km/h short ball down leg side and then barely reached 140km/h over his next 11 balls.

During that time England also had the ball changed and it didn't help as Carse's 12th over went for 17 runs. He had 1-95 after that nightmare.

Carse came back on to bowl in the 57th over and bowled Green on 45 after the right-hander tried to aggressively drive through the covers.

"He won't want to see that again," Waugh said.

Carse then shortened up Carey the next ball with Ben Duckett dropping a catch he should've swallowed.

"It should really have been taken," Adam Gilchrist said.

Waugh then called it a "sitter".

Carey hit a single after it before Smith (61) became the next victim, caught by Will Jacks with a one-handed screamer.

Duckett's misfortune returned when he dropped Josh Inglis on 23 off Stokes' bowling.

However, Stokes decided to do it himself, bowling Inglis in the same over.

The dropped catches continued for England, as Carse fumbled an absolute sitter when Neser was on 6.

Carse then left the field two balls later to the jeers of the crowd.

Root also dropped Alex Carey on 25 but it was without a doubt the hardest effort from first slip.

Australia finished the day at 6-378 with a lead of 44 runs.

Neser finished 15 not out while Carey is on 46.