#Ashes2ndTest: Ruthless Australia Come Out With A Brilliant All-Round Effort To Outclass England Yet Again By 8-Wickets And Lead The Series 2-0

Picture : ICC/X

Australia  powered their  way to yet another convincing win as they won the second Test of  the Ashes series the Day/Night  Pink ball Test at Gabba by  8 wickets  on the fourth day . The win gives the Aussies a solid 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

English Skipper ben Stokes opted to bat first after winning the toss and  England could  manage a rather decent total of 334 ( 76. 2 overs) in their first innings . Opener Zak Crawley showed the way with a fighting 76.  Ben Duckett ( 0), Ollie Pope ( 0) did not disturb the scoreboard. Harry Brook ( 31 ) , Skipper Ben Stokes was sensationallly run-out by  a stunning Josh Inglis throw  for 19.  Jamie Smith ( 0), Will Jacks ( 19), Gus Atkinson  ( 4) , Brydon Carse ( 0 ) . Jofra Archer contributed  with fine lower order  performace scoring 38 ( 36 Balls , 2 fours, 2 sixes) .

The highlight of the English innings was the superb ton by Joe Root . The premier English batsman hit his 40th Test hundred and his first in Australia. He went on to play till the end and remained not out on a  superb 138 ( 206 Balls, 15 fours, 1 six) . It was innings of grit and dtermination as wickets fell around him. Including the  terribile calling mess that resulted in Ben Stokes run- out.

Australia keept pegging away at the English wickets Mitchell Starc once again outstanding with excellent figures of 6/75, Michael Neser 1/43, Scott Boland 1/87 , Brendan Doggett 1/81, Cameron Green 0/43

In reply , Australia capitalised on poor English  fielding as they dropped several catches  to post a  mammoth total of 511. Travis Head ( 33) , Jake Weatherald showed his talent scoring a fine  72, Marnus Labuschagne ( 65), Stand-in Skipper Steve Smith  ( 61), Cameron Green ( 45) , Alex carey ( 63 ), Josh Inglis  ( 23) , Michael Neser (16) . Therby frustrating England. Adding more salt in the English wounds was a superb  77 by Mitchell Starc. Scott Boland chipped in with 21 not out and Brendan Doggett ( 13)

English bowling figures read : Jofra Archer 1/87, Gus Atkinson 1/114, Brydon Carse 4/152, Ben Stokes 3/113, Will jacks 1/34

England needed a good batting performance in the second innings to stay in the hunt . Opener Zak Crawley once again got a start and scored  44 . England would have loved him to stay a bit longer. Ben Duckett( 15), Ollie Pope ( 26) , Joe Root  after a fine hundred in the first innings was out for ( 15). England were in trouble . Harry Brook (15) another low score from him. Skipper Ben Stokes battled hard for his 51 . Jamie Smith ( 4) . Regular English wickets hurt them big. Australia were on top . Will Jacks hung on for his gritty 41 , Gus Atkinson ( 3), Brydon Crase 7 , Jofra Archer not out 5 . England bowled out for 241 (75.2 overs). England were just 64 runs ahead. That meant Australia needed 65 runs to go 2-0 up in the series on the fourth day

Australia bowlers did a fine job yet again. Rocking England with regular wickets.  Michael Neser ( in the playing  eleven in place of Nathan Lyon was a  big selection move )   impressed with  fine spell of 5/42. Mitchell Starc 2/64, Brendan Doggett 1/57 , Scott Boland 2/47, Cameron Green 0/16 , Travis Head 0/1, Marnus Labuschagne 0/3

Needing 65 to win , Australia romped home . Travis Head scoring a run  a ball for 22 before he was out. Marnus Labuschagne was out to  ripper from Atkinson for 3.  These were the only wickets to fall for the Aussies. Opener Jake Weatherald was not out 17 .

But it was Australia’s stand in skipper Steve Smoith who finished the match in hurry with series of audacious shots. Smith was all  charged up and raced to a 23 off just 9 balls. Smith had word or two with English seamer Jofra Archer as well. Like He did at Perth hitting the winning runs. Here at at Gabba  too Steve Smith finished off the match in style with a six of Atkinson to see Australia home. Smith had an animated celebration and  hugged his team- mate Jake Weatherald after the win .  Australia racing t0 69/2 ( 10 overs)  to win by 8 wickets .

Australia now head to Adelaide Oval on December 17 for the third Test with confidence sky high. England  on the other willl have lot to ponder and now face a daunting task of winning three back-to-back Test matches to win the series. Given the Aussie dominace in the first two Tests it would be miracle if theyare able  do it .

Match: The Ashes, 2nd Test
Venue: Brisbane | Date: Dec 04-08, 2025