Brisbane, December 7,2025: Australia surged to an eight-wicket victory over England in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba on Sunday, taking a commanding 2–0 lead in the five-match series, as Michael Neser produced a career-defining spell to dismantle the visitors on day four.
Playing his first Test in three years, and at his home ground, the 35-year-old seamer claimed a superb 5-42, combining relentless accuracy with sharp movement. His efforts, supported by three stunning catches from captain Steve Smith, left Australia requiring just 65 runs to wrap up the day-night match.
Jake Weatherald (17*) and Smith (23* off nine balls) chased down the target comfortably after dinner, lifting Australia to 69-2 and sealing yet another home win over an England side that has now lost 15 of its last 17 Tests in Australia.
Smith finished the match in style, launching Gus Atkinson for a towering six over deep square leg as 27,888 home supporters roared at the Gabba.
Smith dismissed talk of a heated exchange with England fast bowler Jofra Archer late in the chase.
“What I said to Archer stays on the field. It was good banter,” Smith said. “I thought the boys played exceptionally well. The adrenaline was pumping at the end there … It was a huge win, obviously great to go 2-0 up.”
Ben Stokes refused to concede the urn despite the daunting task ahead. The England captain battled for a gritty 50 off 152 balls, keeping England alive through a 96-run partnership with Will Jacks.
“I absolutely believe in that dressing room,” Stokes said.
“We know we have to win these next three games. We won’t shy away from the battle, but we need to sort things out pretty quick if we want to bring the Ashes back to England.”
History, however, is firmly against England. Only once in nearly 150 years has a team overturned a 2–0 Ashes deficit — Don Bradman’s Australia in 1936–37.
Australia dominated despite fielding what many viewed as a third-string pace attack. With Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon expected to return for the next Test in Adelaide, the hosts may strengthen further.
Veteran left-armer Mitchell Starc excelled with eight wickets in the match and a valuable 77 in the first innings, earning him Player of the Match honours.
“We bowled well across both innings,” said Starc, who now has 18 wickets in the series. “I’m pleased for Neser on his home ground.”
England resumed day four on 134-6, needing 44 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Stokes and Jacks showed resolve, guiding England past 200 during an attritional first session.
But once the second new ball took hold and the Gabba pitch began to misbehave, England were undone by uneven bounce. Stokes suffered a painful blow to the groin off Neser but carried on to complete his fifty.
The breakthrough came via Steve Smith, who plucked a spectacular one-handed catch in the slips to remove Jacks (41), tilting the momentum back Australia’s way. England then lost 4 for 17, folding for 241.
Neser and Starc cleaned up the tail, leaving Australia with a straightforward chase — one Smith and Weatherald completed ruthlessly.
With Australia now firmly in control of the series, England head to Adelaide needing a historic turnaround to keep the Ashes alive.
