England stumbled towards a 2-0 series deficit as they closed day three of the second Ashes Test on 134-6 in their second innings, still trailing Australia by 43 runs.
Any faint England hopes rest on another memorable captain’s contribution from Ben Stokes – four not out overnight – after the tourists’ top order again subsided under lights in the day-night Test at The Gabba.
With Australia resuming the third day on 378-6, 44 ahead on first innings, Mitchell Starc top-scored with 77 to continue his remarkable series and stretch the hosts’ advantage to 177 when they were finally bowled out for 511 just as dusk arrived in Brisbane.
Mitchell Starc top-scored with 77 in Australia’s first-innings 511 as his remarkable series continued
The game was set up perfectly for Australia, their wagging tail earning their bowlers the perfect twilight conditions to operate in with a brand-new pink ball – and they duly took advantage.
England’s openers counter-punched briefly, with 45 scored in a six-over spell in the run up to tea, but Australia’s seamers cashed in with six wickets in the final session.
Zak Crawley counter-punched with 44 to start England’s second innings before things went south
England’s top order blown away under lights
Ben Duckett (15) was the first to depart, in the second over of the evening, bowled off the toe-end of his bat by one that kept low from Scott Boland (2-33).
Ollie Pope (26) added another 42 for the second wicket with Crawley (44) who, like with his first-innings 76, showed flashes of his best form before the pair departed in dismal fashion within four overs of each other.
Michael Neser (2-27) accounted for both caught and bowled as neither could resist driving on the up to the wrong length – Crawley, in particular, guilty of failing to learn the lesson from his partner’s dismissal.
Scott Boland was outstanding for Australia as the hosts dominated day three at The Gabba
Joe Root (15) edged Starc (2-48) behind, while pick-of-the-bowlers in the second innings, Boland, was rewarded for a fine spell when Harry Brook (15) also nicked off.
Both edges went unnoticed on the field but were overturned by DRS, while Jamie Smith (4) also failed to detect his faint feather behind – his review failing – as Starc claimed an 18th wicket for his remarkable series thus far.
Earlier, England’s bowlers showed greater discipline with the ball than they had during a costly new ball spell early on the second day which, arguably, saw this Test begin to get away from them.
Stokes (3-113) struck in the third over of the day, Neser (16) caught behind, and Gus Atkinson (1-114) was finally rewarded with his first Ashes wicket when prising out Alex Carey (63) with the second new ball.
Eight down, Australia’s lead at that stage was 82, but Starc’s steely resistance along with a willing foil at the other end in Boland (21no) gradually wore a weary England bowling attack into the dirt.
The pair added 75 for the ninth wicket, batting more than 27 overs together to not only help wrestle the momentum firmly in their favour but ensure Australia’s seamers got the best of conditions as day turned to night when England took to the middle for their second dig.
Crawley and Duckett briefly gave hope to a better batting display in a 48-run opening partnership, before another costly collapse followed in the evening.
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26
All times UK and Ireland
First Test (Perth): Australia beat England by eight wicketsSecond Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4am) – The Gabba, BrisbaneThird Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (11.30pm) – Adelaide OvalFourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket GroundFifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
