England's hopes of salvaging the Ashes series hang by a thread after a gruelling and frustrating third day at the Gabba in Brisbane. The visitors now face a monumental challenge to overturn history, with Australia's lower order defiantly extending their lead to 168 runs by the first break on day three.
Stokes Provides Spark Amid Growing Concerns
Knowing they could not afford a repeat of a poor day two, England captain Ben Stokes took the initiative with the pink ball himself. The move paid immediate dividends as he produced a superb delivery to remove Michael Neser, caught behind by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
This early breakthrough was a brief moment of relief. As the session wore on, Stokes emerged as the only consistent threat with the ball, raising inevitable concerns about his workload and fitness. The decision to hand the new ball to Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson yielded only one further success, with Atkinson dismissing Alex Carey.
Archer's Struggles and Australia's Tail-Wag
The spotlight fell intensely on Jofra Archer, who again struggled to find his rhythm. His performance was so underwhelming that Australian commentary legends Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden spent more time discussing Archer arriving with a pillow than analysing his bowling.
Heeding Hayden's on-air advice to frustrate the England quick, the Australian tail dug in stubbornly. Mitchell Starc led the resistance, cruising to an unbeaten 46 by the break and later securing his half-century, with Scott Boland providing staunch support. Their partnership ensured Australia's lead swelled past the 100-mark and continued to climb, heaping pressure on England's beleaguered attack.
A Daunting Historical Challenge Ahead
The situation for England now appears bleak. The historical weight of the Gabba looms large: no team batting second with a lead has ever lost a Test match at this ground, where Australia remains undefeated.
To keep the series alive, Stokes's side must not only overcome a significant deficit but also rewrite that formidable record. It will require a vastly improved batting performance in their second innings, particularly against a rampant Mitchell Starc. If England repeat the errors of their first innings in Brisbane or the Perth Test, the match and their Ashes ambitions could be extinguished swiftly.
