Brisbane, December 7, 2025 – Australia clinched a dominant eight-wicket victory over England in the second Ashes Test at The Gabba, taking a powerful 2–0 lead in the five-match series.
The hosts wrapped up the match on the fourth day, continuing their unbeaten Pink Ball dominance at home and pushing England into a must-win situation for the remaining three Tests.
Australia Cruise to Victory After England Collapse
England began Day 4 under considerable pressure, but captain Ben Stokes and Will Jacks showed resilience in the opening session, putting together a steady partnership that briefly ignited hopes of a fightback. However, the momentum shifted completely when Michael Neser, playing in front of his home crowd, produced a sensational spell to claim his maiden Test five-wicket haul.
England’s resistance crumbled quickly, sliding from a promising position to 241 all out, leaving Australia with a modest target of 65 runs. The hosts chased it down comfortably, losing only two wickets, with Steve Smith’s strokeplay sealing another commanding Ashes win.
Turning Points: Batting Collapse & Australia’s Tail Fightback
England’s troubles stemmed from a disastrous session on Day 3, where they crashed from 90/1 to 128/6 in just 15 overs. Neser, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland exploited the conditions expertly, triggering a collapse that swung the match sharply in Australia’s favour.
Australia’s lower order had already set the tone earlier with a gritty performance. The tail produced a crucial 75-run ninth-wicket stand between Starc and Boland, extending the innings and pushing Australia’s lead to a commanding 177. With every Australian batter reaching double figures and multiple players scoring fifties, England were left chasing the game from that point onward.
Starc Named Player of the Match
Mitchell Starc was awarded Player of the Match for an outstanding all-round performance. He took 8 wickets in the Test and scored a vital 77 runs, playing a decisive role in Australia’s first-innings dominance. Starc said he aimed to “hit the stumps as much as possible” and credited the team’s lower order for stretching the innings effectively.
Captains Reflect on the Result
Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith praised his team’s disciplined performance, especially the tailenders who extended the innings long enough to allow Australia to bowl under lights. He also lauded Alex Carey’s exceptional wicket-keeping and Neser’s crucial contribution with the ball.
England captain Ben Stokes admitted the defeat was disappointing, saying the team struggled in pressure moments. He insisted the squad had the skill but lacked consistency, adding that England must “dig deep” to stay alive in the series. Stokes maintained full faith in his players, promising that England “will not go down without a fight.”
Root & Archer Offer Brief Resistance
Despite the defeat, England found some positives. Joe Root’s first Test century on Australian soil, combined with a vital 70-run last-wicket partnership with Jofra Archer, gave England respectability in the first innings. But the recurring issue of losing clusters of wickets continued to haunt the visitors.
Australia in Complete Control
With the victory, Australia extended their remarkable record in Pink Ball Tests at home, now winning 13 out of 14 matches. The team will head into the third Test in Adelaide on December 17 with strong momentum, while England face the daunting task of needing three straight wins to avoid an Ashes series defeat.