Australia claimed a dominant eight-wicket victory in the day-night Test at the Gabba, securing a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series after successfully chasing down a modest 65-run target. Michael Neser claimed his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, dismissing crucial batsmen Will Jacks and Ben Stokes among his victims, as England were bowled out for 241 in their second innings. The home side wrapped up the chase inside 10 overs, despite losing two wickets along the way.
England resumed Day 4 at 134 for 6, still 43 runs behind making Australia bat again. Their position had deteriorated dramatically from 90 for 1 to 128 for 6 during a chaotic period late on Day 3. The situation improved on the fourth morning as Stokes and Jacks mounted a spirited resistance, offering England faint hopes of salvaging the match. Both batsmen displayed remarkable determination, standing firm against an aggressive Australian pace attack. Scott Boland troubled them with accurate bowling that seamed both directions, while the hosts also employed short-pitched tactics against Jacks, but neither batter was rattled.
The Barmy Army erupted in celebration as England moved into the lead, with the partnership reaching 50 before the first interval. The pair’s disciplined batting meant England avoided losing a wicket in the opening session a first for them in this Ashes series. Following the break, they maintained their cautious strategy, punishing only the poor deliveries. After a gritty 96-run stand spanning 220 balls, Jacks (41) edged Neser to Steve Smith, who pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch with his left hand, triggering another English batting collapse. Stokes, having reached his half-century, soon departed as well, caught behind off Neser while attempting a back-foot defensive shot, leaving England reeling at 227 for 8. The innings folded for just 14 additional runs as Brendan Doggett and Neser mopped up the tail, setting Australia a straightforward target.
Travis Head launched the chase aggressively, striking multiple boundaries and a six off Gus Atkinson. Jake Weatherald provided solid support as the opening pair raced to 37 before Atkinson broke through twice, bowling Head via an inside edge and having Marnus Labuschagne caught behind. Steve Smith opted for swift conclusion, dispatching two fours and a six off Jofra Archer in the ninth over. Weatherald contributed a boundary off Atkinson in the 10th over before Smith sealed Australia’s victory in style, pulling a short delivery for six to inflict England’s 14th defeat at the Gabba.
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The result represented the first occasion a team has lost a Day-Night Test after posting 300-plus in their first innings. England’s opening knock centered around Joe Root, whose unbeaten 138 his maiden Test century on Australian soil lifted them to 334 after they slumped to 5 for 2. Mitchell Starc dominated with the ball in the first innings, claiming 6 for 75 to surpass Wasim Akram’s record for most wickets by a left-arm fast bowler. Starc then led Australia’s batting response with 77, complementing half-centuries from Weatherald, Labuschagne, Smith and Alex Carey as a well-rounded batting display powered Australia to 511. England started their second innings positively before succumbing to a collapse that ultimately allowed Australia to strengthen their grip on the series.
Brief scores: England 344 (Joe Root 138, Zak Crawley 76; Mitchell Starc 6-75) & 241 (Ben Stokes 50, Zak Crawley 44; Michael Neser 5-42) lost to Australia 511 (Mitchell Starc 77, Jake Weatherald 72; Brydon Carse 4-152) & 69/2 (Steve Smith 23, Travis Head 22; Gus Atkinson 2-37) by 8 wickets.