England's cricketers, facing a daunting deficit and fierce criticism, began a crucial fightback on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. With their backs firmly against the wall, Ben Stokes and Will Jacks provided a stubborn, unbeaten partnership to offer the tourists a glimmer of hope and a pointed answer to their detractors.
A Measured Response Under Pressure
Starting the day in a perilous position at 134-6 and still trailing Australia by 43 runs, England needed a miracle. The morning session on day four saw Stokes and Jacks adopt a disciplined, watchful approach, a stark contrast to some of the reckless batting that had plagued their top order. They negotiated the early threats from Australian quicks Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland with care, adding just 28 runs in the first 13 overs.
This cautious start represented the second most defensive session of the entire 'Bazball' era for England, proving the team can adapt its aggressive philosophy when the situation demands. By the end of the afternoon session, the pair had stretched their partnership, adding 59 runs in total and, crucially, guiding England into a slender lead of 16 runs without losing a wicket.
Answering Vaughan's Stinging Critique
The gritty partnership served as a direct rebuttal to former captain Michael Vaughan's brutal assessment after day three. Vaughan had lambasted the side, claiming they had been "humiliated" by what he called Australia's "second string" attack and that their aggressive style had become "too predictable."
On day four, Stokes and Jacks demonstrated they could blend resilience with intent. While Stokes mirrored aspects of his legendary, patient 2019 Headingley knock—scoring 19 from 70 balls at the Gabba compared to 2 from 70 in Leeds—he was ably supported by Jacks, a naturally attacking player showing impressive maturity.
The Long Road to a Headingley 2.0
Despite the fightback, England remain huge underdogs to salvage this Test. The spectre of Stokes' unbeaten 135 at Headingley in 2019 looms large as the benchmark for a miraculous escape. While the partnership has provided hope, a victory would require one of the greatest rearguard actions in Ashes history.
The session also underscored a broader issue for England's 'Bazball' strategy in this series: the top order must provide a platform. The early wickets gifted to Australia on day three put the middle and lower order under unsustainable pressure. For England to compete, players like Ollie Pope and Harry Brook need to convert starts into substantial scores, rather than relying solely on the brilliance of Stokes or Joe Root.
The fightback at the Gabba has, at the very least, restored some pride and shown that England can scrap. Whether it can evolve into a genuine chance for an unlikely victory remains the captivating question for the final days of this pivotal Test.
