Australia Assert Their Dominance at the Gabba – Starc Shines as England Fall 2-0 Behind
The Ashes moved to Brisbane for the second Test, but the script stayed painfully familiar for England. Under lights at the Gabba, Australia produced a powerhouse display built on Mitchell Starc’s brilliance and a ruthless batting lineup, sealing an eight-wicket win and moving 2-0 up in the series.
Day 1: Root Fights Alone Against the Storm
England won the toss and batted, but the optimism lasted all of six balls. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were gone for ducks, Starc slicing through England’s top order with pace and late movement. Zak Crawley counterattacked stylishly, racing to 76, but once he fell, the innings teetered.
Enter Joe Root—calm, precise, and unflappable. His unbeaten 138 was a masterclass in restraint and timing, a lone pillar while wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Jofra Archer’s lively 38 added late spark, but England’s 334 felt undercooked on a Gabba surface that only gets better under lights for batting.
Day 2 & 3: Australia Bat Big, England Lose Their Grip
Australia’s reply was unapologetically dominant. Jake Weatherald, continuing his impressive start in Test cricket, struck a fluent 72. Labuschagne and Smith piled on their own contributions—65 and 61—ensuring the pressure stayed squarely on England.
But the star turns came from Australia’s lower order.
Alex Carey’s sharp 63 and a gritty 77 from Mitchell Starc broke England’s spirits. Starc batted like a seasoned No. 5 rather than a tailender, punishing anything loose. The final total of 511 was a monumental statement—one that put England more than 170 behind and mentally flattened.
England’s second innings mirrored the first: early wickets, hopeful rebuilding, then collapse. Zak Crawley again gave them a decent start with 44, and Ben Stokes showed admirable resistance with 50 off 152 balls. Will Jacks’ 41 hinted at a fightback, but Michael Neser’s relentless discipline (5/42) kept England pinned.
All out for 241, England left Australia needing just 65 to win.
Day 4: Australia Cruise Home
There was no miracle in the evening session. Travis Head smashed 22 off 22, Steven Smith finished unbeaten on 23 off 9 with two sixes, and Australia coasted to 69/2 in just 10 overs.
A comprehensive victory. A commanding 2-0 lead.
Player of the Match – Mitchell Starc
With 6/75, 77 runs, and 2/64 in the second innings, Starc produced the kind of all-round performance that decides Test matches. Fast, fiery, and fearless—he was the difference-maker from start to finish.
What This Means for the Series
England now find themselves in a deep hole. The batting is too reliant on Root, the middle order has yet to fire, and the bowling—despite flashes—lacks the consistency of Australia’s attack.
Australia, on the other hand, look balanced, confident, and ruthless. Unless England find answers quickly, this could turn into a long and difficult Ashes summer.
A classic Gabba Test. A classic Australian triumph. And a growing Ashes crisis for England.
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