England 2-0 down in Ashes after Gabba hammering

Second Ashes Test, the Gabba, Brisbane (day-night, day four of five)

England 334: Root 138; Starc 6-75 & 241 Stokes 50; Neser 5-42

Australia 511: Starc 77; Carse 4-152 & 69-2 (Smith 23*, Atkinson 2-37)

Australia triumph by eight wickets, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series

Scorecard

England’s chances in the Ashes appear almost extinguished within less than six days of play after suffering an eight-wicket loss to Australia in the second Test at the Gabba.

On day four of the pink-ball encounter in Brisbane, England displayed some offensive spirit with the bat, yet ultimately fell to their second significant defeat of the tour, following a two-day defeat in the initial Test in Perth.

In what seemed a bid to inspire his teammates after their poor performance on Saturday, captain Ben Stokes worked hard for his 50 runs off 152 balls.

Stokes and Will Jacks, who scored 41 off 92 balls, formed a partnership of 96 for the seventh wicket over 36.4 overs – England’s longest partnership of this series.

They remained together until an hour into the afternoon session when Jacks was dramatically caught by Australia captain Steve Smith at first slip.

This marked the start of England losing their last four wickets for only 17 runs, finishing all out for 241.

Stokes edged a delivery from Neser, Gus Atkinson was dismissed by a bouncer from Brendan Doggett, and Brydon Carse edged to slip, allowing Neser to achieve his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Australia was set a modest target of 65 runs. Although Atkinson caused Travis Head to chop on and bowled Marnus Labuschagne, victory was achieved in just 10 overs.

This leaves Stokes’ squad 2-0 down, requiring wins in all three remaining Tests to reclaim the Ashes. England has never accomplished a comeback from 2-0 down to win a series against Australia.

In what’s expected to be the most eagerly awaited Ashes tour in a generation, and was viewed as a prime opportunity to seize the urn for the first time since 2015, Stokes’ men are at risk of delivering the worst performance by an England squad in Australia in recent times.

Concerns regarding England’s mentality will resurface as the tourists intend to follow this loss with a vacation on the Sunshine Coast.

Regardless of how England chooses to spend the time leading up to the third Test on 17 December (23:30 16 December GMT), they must dramatically enhance their game for the contest in Adelaide.

As current holders of the Ashes, Australia will need only a draw to retain the urn at the earliest chance before thousands of England followers arrive over Christmas for the Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

The home team will proceed with the advantage of captain Pat Cummins returning from injury and off-spinner Nathan Lyon ready for a comeback.

The absence of Australian players at the onset of the series granted England a significant opportunity, which they have squandered. Now they must accept the repercussions.

England remains in the series, but it is nearly impossible to envision a turnaround given their dismal performances so far, compounded by their poor recent record in this nation.

This marks their 17th outing without triumph in Australia, with 15 of those resulting in losses. England has suffered 10 defeats in 14 overseas Tests against all teams and an eighth loss in 15 matches overall, dating back to September 2024.

Additionally, it prolongs a painful streak in Brisbane, a location where England hasn’t won since 1986. The Gabba, once buzzing with hopes for English wickets on Saturday night, was half-filled on Sunday afternoon.

This is yet another defeat for England in day-night Tests – now six out of eight matches, including all four played in Australia. The home team has secured victory in 14 of their 15 pink-ball encounters. No other team has scored more than England’s 334 and lost while batting first in a day-night Test.

England’s choices for Adelaide are limited unless they consider players from the England Lions team, which is currently facing heavy defeat by Australia A.

Jacob Bethell recorded 71 runs for the Lions on Sunday, but spinner Shoaib Bashir returned with 0-115 from his 25 overs. There is no specialist wicketkeeper in the senior squad that could take Jamie Smith’s place. Matthew Fisher may be a candidate to provide pace-bowling support.

England managed to equalize after being 2-0 down in the 2023 Ashes in the UK and might have clinched the win had the rain not interfered in Manchester.

A similar revival here would be astonishing. The truth is, England is already fighting to avoid a clean sweep of 5-0.

Where has this resolve, shot selection, and common sense been for England? Had they shown this level of Test batting earlier, they could still have been competitive in the series.

Entering the day at 134-6, needing 43 runs to force Australia to bat again, England required a miracle that only Stokes could fabricate.

The captain produced a half-century off 148 balls – his slowest since his pivotal innings that secured victory at the Headingley Ashes Test in 2019.

Jacks matched Stokes in defense, judgment, and patience. Both men left the balls well, rarely falling for the Australian short-ball baits, and capitalized when the circumstances were favorable.

They guided England into a lead, passing the first interval and moving through the evening light. Their partnership lasted longer than either of England’s innings in Perth and recorded the second-slowest run-rate for an England stand exceeding 50 since Stokes became captain.

Jacks may have secured his position in the team, potentially batting higher in the order. It required an outstanding catch from Smith to dismiss him – a payback for when Jacks caught Smith earlier in the match. Jacks edged into Neser’s delivery, and with keeper Alex Carey positioned up to the stumps, Smith launched himself to his left, grasping the ball one-handed.

In Neser’s subsequent over, the match ended. Stokes edged a ball, and Carey, still standing close, executed a fantastic catch. The captain left the field infuriated with himself.

Atkinson reverted to the usual norm of England batters relinquishing their wickets, perishing to the bouncer strategy by hooking Doggett to mid-wicket. Neser found the edge of Carse to claim his fifth wicket – his spell on the fourth afternoon was 3-10 in 5.2 overs.

For the first time in the match, England faced ideal bowling conditions with a new ball under the lights, and Atkinson demonstrated what could have been if there were more runs to defend.