England's hopes of retaining the Ashes are hanging by a thread after a catastrophic second-innings batting collapse at the Gabba left them staring at a crushing defeat in the second Test.
A Day of Disarray at the Gabba
Responding to Australia's formidable first-innings total of 511, Ben Stokes's team capitulated to 134 for six by stumps on day three. They still trail by 43 runs, facing a near-impossible task to avoid going 2–0 down in the series with just three Tests remaining. The sense of despair is palpable, with the contest feeling all but over after just five days of cricket.
History offers little comfort. Only twice have England overcome a larger first-innings deficit to win a Test against Australia than the 177 runs they conceded here. Those famous victories came at Sydney in 1894-95 and during the Headingley miracle of 1981. There will be no such escape in Brisbane this time.
Batting Frailties Exposed Once More
The collapse was particularly galling as England's second innings had shown promise at 90 for one. The only wicket to fall was that of Ben Duckett, dismissed for 15 by a vicious low delivery from Scott Boland. From that point, however, the innings went into freefall.
Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley both fell to soft dismissals, driving carelessly on the up to offer return catches to Michael Neser. Pope, skittish from the start after a first-innings duck, made 26 before his rash stroke. Crawley looked more assured en route to 44 but succumbed to the same lack of discipline.
The pivotal moment came when captain Joe Root, the first-innings centurion, edged an unwise drive off Mitchell Starc and was given out on review for 15. At 121 for four, still 56 behind, England's fate seemed sealed.
Australia's Lower Order Grinds England Down
Earlier, Australia had extended their dominance effortlessly, adding 133 runs to their overnight score. Mitchell Starc was instrumental, top-scoring with a brilliant 77 from number nine, a knock that made him the highest-scoring No. 9 in Test history. Every Australian batsman reached double figures, underscoring the depth of their batting.
The partnership between Starc and Boland was especially damaging, lasting 27.2 overs and pushing England's second innings start towards dusk. England's tactics appeared one-dimensional, with seamers bowling short too often, allowing Australia to accumulate at their own tempo.
The tourists' frustration was compounded by the expensive figures of Brydon Carse, who conceded 146 runs – the most by an England seamer in Australia since 1954-55.
With only Ben Stokes and Will Jacks remaining at the crease, England's task is forlorn. The prospect of a three-day finish was only narrowly avoided. As the lights shone at the Gabba, they illuminated a disconsolate England team whose Ashes campaign is in tatters, with the series slipping away at a devastating pace.
