England have ensured that Australia will bat again in Brisbane with Ben Stokes and Will Jacks battling hard on day four of the second Ashes Test.
England resumed still 43 behind their hosts after a disastrous day three, with a late collapse leaving just four wickets in hand. But Stokes and Jacks showed excellent discipline and patience to make it through the first session of the day unscathed, producing the first wicketless session of the series so far. Their calm, considered approach contrasted with some of England’s batting last night, taking the tourists into the lead although still facing a real battle to stave off defeat.
Mitchell Starc and the rest of the home side dominated again yesterday to leave the tourists in tatters, closing on 134-6 and still 43 behind their opponents. Starc first impressed with the bat, making 77 and sharing a significant partnership with Scott Boland that both swelled Australia’s advantage and ensured that they could make use of the best bowling conditions later in the day at the Gabba. England collapsed in a heap under the lights as they lost five wickets for 38 runs having been 90/1. It prompted more tough questions over the temperament and technique of Stokes’s side, who still look likely to find themselves 2-0 down and the series all but over at some point today.
Follow all of the latest from the Gabba with our live blog below:
Read MoreWoeful England slide towards second Test defeat as Mitchell Starc and Australia dominate
Australia bowler Josh Hazlewood suffers Ashes injury setback with new timeline for return
Pat Cummins set for Australia return in third Ashes Test: ‘I’ll be good to go’
Ashes 2025 second Test - Australia v England, day four
- Australia look to seal second Test victory at the Gabba | Live on TNT Sports
- A disciplined Ben Stokes steers England into the lead in Brisbane
- England began the fourth day still 43 behind and six wickets down
- Mitchell Starc starred with bat and ball as Australia dominated day three in Brisbane
- No side has come from 2-0 down to win the Ashes since 1936/37
England 220/6 (67), lead by 43
07:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleJust some signs that the England pair are starting to emerge, cautiously, from their shells. Ben Stokes backs away and flays, helping himself to a couple through the vacant cover region. Will Jacks also angles one through the gully to go to 39 as he continues to build his Test best score.
England 214/6 (66), lead by 37
07:17 , Harry Latham-CoyleMichael Neser relieves Mitchell Starc, with Alex Carey up to the stumps with a slip and gully beyond him. The 200th ball faced in the partnership is chopped to deep backward point for a single by Ben Stokes, who has 43.
Travis Head is still fiddling with that sore thumb like an idler. Two more singles arrive before the end of the over.
England 211/6 (65), lead by 34
07:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleWill Jacks ducks beneath the first of the bouncers but can’t resist having a dip at the next, failing to make contact. Brendan Doggett comes around the wicket to attack the ribs more deliberately, but Jacks is able to tug away at one that doesn’t quite get up to rotate the strike.
Dropped? Yes, but that’s mightily tough on Travis Head at short leg. Jacks turns one off the hip almost straight into the hands of the fielder in tight, but it goes so quickly that it just thuds off thumb and knee to the floor. A chance, strictly speaking, and it appears that it might have hurt Head.
England 209/6 (64), lead by 32
07:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleHere’s Brendan Doggett for some short stuff. A widely spread leg-side array awaiting a mistimed hook with Will Jacks on strike.
England 209/6 (64), lead by 32
07:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe crowd lift the volume as Mitchell Starc rumbles in, like a jumbo jet readying itself for takeoff with his long approach. He searches for a couple of yorkers but can’t quite find them.
Almost! A leading edge from Ben Stokes falls short of the bowler.
England 206/6 (63), lead by 29
07:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleA Ben Stokes drive to the left of the point sweeper earns him a couple. England ticking along.
England 203/6 (62), lead by 26
06:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleMitchell Starc’s bounce is just beginning to trouble Will Jacks, who is up on his toes well but needs to be a little careful not to chop on with his defensive stroke. A couple of balls taking the inside half of the bat.
England 201/6 (61), lead by 24
06:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is plenty of batting to come, of course, for England, although extending this partnership as far as possible feels key. Will we see either become more proactive? The steady approach seems the sensible one and is very much working for now.
England 200/6 (60.3), lead by 23
06:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleWill Jacks brings up the England 200 with a handsome clip through midwicket. Nice shot. He moves to 30.
England 195/6 (60), lead by 18
06:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleA single apiece for the England batters as they settle back in.
Cameron Green will bowl from the other end. He looked threatening after a belated introduction earlier.
England 193/6 (59.2), lead by 16
06:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleBen Stokes needed a new bit of willow before the break and it appears Will Jacks’s bat has also broken. Out trots Matthew Potts without a replacement, allowing Stokes to send a message up to the dressing room.
Jacks is ready to go once more.
England 193/6 (59), lead by 16
06:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt will not be Travis Head to resume - Mitchell Starc offers a rather different threat. A slip and a gully waiting behind Will Jacks with leg-side protection, too, if Starc wishes to go short from around the wicket.
England 193/6 (59), lead by 16
06:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe resumption nears. Batting conditions should remain good for the next little while and then become a bit tougher later if England can continue to stretch the innings out. Make no mistake, they are still in real bother but the application shown thus far has been encouraging.
One doubts it will be Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne to pick up where they left off with the ball before tea, but you never know.
Tea! England 193/6 (59), lead by 16
06:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleOver at Allan Border Field on the other side of town, Jacob Bethell has fallen for 71 with the England Lions still up against it against Australia A. Asa Tribe, though, has gone to his 100 - the 21-year-old had a breakthrough season to help Glamorgan back into Division One of the County Championship and has already played international cricket for Jersey.
Tea! England 193/6 (59), lead by 16
06:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleVery, very, very good from England. 59 runs added in two hours in a disciplined display of defensive batting that has hauled them into the lead. Conditions have been easier than last night but the pitch has still offered something to the Australian attack, but Ben Stokes and Will Jacks have shown real restraint and can now set about swelling the advantage further. What do they need to really threaten an unlikely victory? Anything over 150, still a long, long way off, might give them some hope.
Tea! England 193/6 (59), lead by 16
06:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle Tea! England 193/6 (59), lead by 16
06:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleNothing silly from the England pair, who have batted superbly in this session. Ben Stokes has 36, Will Jacks 25 - the partnership is worth 65 and England lead by 16.
England 192/6 (58.2), lead by 15
05:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt will be dibble dobble rather than fizzy leg-breaks from Labuschagne. Will Jacks flicks him to fine leg for a couple.
England 190/6 (58), lead by 13
05:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleA decent start from the part-timer. Australia also have Marnus Labuschagne as a spin option if required - although he has bowled plenty of seam in the Sheffield Shield this year, too - but you’d say this is a big tick for England to have Head operating before the break.
He rattles through the over to ensure that Australia will get one more in before the interval. And it will be Labuschagne to deliver it!
England 189/6 (57.1), lead by 12
05:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleNow then - here’s Australia’s off-spinner. No, not the left out Nathan Lyon but Travis Head, who you may remember took a couple of wickets at Lord’s in 2023 when Lyon went down injured.
England 189/6 (57), lead by 12
05:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleInto the final ten minutes before the tea interval. It would be a sickener for England were they to lose one now after so much hard graft. Ben Stokes has now faced 106 balls for his 36. Bedding in, as he had to. Will Jacks has 21 from 60.
England 185/6 (56), lead by 8
05:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleSix off the over - but an encouraging one for Australia. They will feel another chance is surely coming.
England 183/6 (55.2), lead by 6
05:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleEdged over Green in the gully! The leaping behemoth couldn’t quite get his big right paw to it, Ben Stokes venturing down the track but squared by Scott Boland and fortunate not to fall. Away it goes for four.
England 179/6 (55), lead by 2
05:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleA reminder of the danger that still lurks for England immediately arrives as Ben Stokes whooshes past a ball from Cameron Green that just leaves him.
But the 50 partnership is up between these two - 51 in 136 balls in a display of real patience and pluck. Much needed.
England lead! England 178/6 (54.2), lead by 1
05:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleA mistimed pull from Will Jacks takes England in front. Fine work from these two this morning, but much more to be done.
Scores level! England 177/6 (54)
05:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland have reached parity! A scrambled single into the covers levels the scores from Will Jacks. Australia will bat again. And there was much rejoicing.
England 176/6 (53), trail by 1
05:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn outstanding start from Cam Green, beating the bat immediately and then getting one to keep a little low on a lunging Ben Stokes. Back-to-back maidens for Australia.
England 176/6 (52.1), trail by 1
05:32 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight, here is Cameron Green for the first time in the innings - Australia’s tallest and second-quickest seamer. He’s got plenty of skill, of course, but I fancy there will be a fair few short balls, too.
England 176/6 (52), trail by 1
05:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleA beaut! Scott Boland nips one away from Will Jacks to beat the outside edge. High-class seam bowling. A maiden.
England 176/6 (51), trail by 1
05:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleBrendan Doggett continues to slam the ball into the surface, with Ben Stokes looking rather more comfortable than Will Jacks. Four singles take England ever closer to parity, though.
England 172/6 (50), trail by 5
05:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleA clip to the fine leg fence brings Ben Stokes his third boundary as he climbs to 26, before rotating the strike with a single. Australia’s lead is down into single figures.
England 167/6 (49), trail by 10
05:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleAustralia have also gone short to Ben Stokes, with three fielders in the deep between forward square leg and fine leg, plus one halfway back and a short leg. This will fatigue Brendan Doggett but Australia do have five seamers on which to call. He’s doing a good job so far, mind, keeping the pace high and Stokes tied down with an accurate barrage.
The trouble is that the leg-side heavy field leaves plenty of space on the off-side. Ben Stokes backs away and whacks into it for three, with Doggett forced to retrieve like a loyal labrador. Stokes’s bat is broken; out come a selection of replacement Gunn & Moore’s.
Scott Boland returns at the other end.
England 164/6 (48.1), trail by 13
05:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleWill Jacks is living dangerously - a bit of a flap at a sharp bouncer from Brendan Doggett that could end up anywhere. It lands safely and trickles down towards fine leg. Doggett had overstepped, so it wouldn’t have mattered, but this will be encouraging Australia to stick with the ploy.
Jacks was hit in the helmet, too, which will require a check.
England 162/6 (48), trail by 15
05:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland have left or defended nearly three-quarters of the balls bowled in this first session — they’ve got their approach spot on so far. Ben Stokes has nipped off for a comfort break and is ready to resume.
England 162/6 (48), trail by 15
05:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis has been an outstanding spell from Michael Neser, giving virtually nothing away and challenging Ben Stokes particularly with nibble from a length. A maiden. 11-1-32-2 his figures so far.
Drinks. England make it through the first hour unscathed
England 162/6 (47), trail by 15
05:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleWill Jacks needs to be careful. Another swipe at a Brendan Doggett short ball draws a cursory appeal from behind the stumps. There’s no touch on it but he looks eager to play at it.
England 161/6 (46.2), trail by 16
04:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleIndeed they will. There are six leg side fielders as Brendan Doggett digs a couple in, drawing a flap down the leg side that Will Jacks fails to connect with but then a more confident, competent pull to one of the two men behind square on the boundary for a single.
It looks like traditional tactics to Ben Stokes as he takes strike.
England 160/6 (46), trail by 17
04:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleA frisson of excitement for the Australia fielders as Will Jacks gloves one to leg, beaten by the bounce of Michael Neser. Travis Head is under the lid at boot hill but Jacks managed to get it further around the corner, anxiously trotting through for a run to fine leg. Jacks had a bit of strapping on his hand after being struck by Scott Boland earlier - we’ll see if Australia have another go at him with the short ball.
England 158/6 (45), trail by 19
04:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe didn’t see Cameron Green yesterday with the ball but the tall all-rounder may soon be amongst things, Green warming the legs and shoulders in the gully. His height could provide a different challenge with his capacity to generate steep bounce.
Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser continue for now.
England 157/6 (44), trail by 22
04:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis has been just about a perfect start from England. The odd ball is moving off the straight but there is nothing to cause undue concern, and the variable bounce, when it has occurred, has been outside of off stump. This partnership is up to 29 off 69 balls.
England 155/6 (43), trail by 22
04:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleFine batsmanship from Ben Stokes. A perfectly judged leave on length is perhaps a little closer to off stump than he would have liked but it forces Brendan Doggett fuller, giving him a half-volley that he can caress through the covers. He’s grafting hard but doing an excellent job.
England 151/6 (42.2), trail by 26
04:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleAcross Brisbane, Jacob Bethell has reached 50 for the England Lions as they look to battle back against Australia A. The hosts’ second-string still lead by plenty after thrashing 588/8d in their first innings. Would a Bethell ton put the pressure on Ollie Pope? He feels comfortably the most vulnerable of the England batters.
Brendan Doggett has also been brought into the attack.
England 151/6 (42), trail by 26
04:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleHow has that missed? An absolute peach from Michael Neser, angle in and nip away and very, very close to taking the off bail. A bit too much bounce. Neser throws his hands to his head.
A probing start from the stump-to-stump specialist. A couple of singles from the over.
England 149/6 (41), trail by 28
04:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleA little bit of movement for Mitchell Starc, swinging one away from Ben Stokes’s bat to beat the England captain and then jagging one back at the left-hander. Stokes copes well. England continue to gradually whittle away that Australia lead.
England 146/6 (40), trail by 31
04:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleAustralia’s tail found things relatively straightforward in the first session yesterday, and England’s discipline so far has been pleasing. Ben Stokes has left just about anything outside his eye-line alone. It’s old school Test match batting, which feels strangely novel at times in the current environment.
Alex Carey puts the lid back on for the last ball of the over; Scott Boland errs down the leg side. Four byes make it a maiden, but that was a bad ball from Boland.
England 142/6 (39), trail by 35
04:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe sending of the square leg fielder out to the boundary is a pretty good indicator to Will Jacks that he might be about to face some chin music, and Mitchell Starc does try to strike that tune. Jacks effectively deals with it, up on his toes and smothering the bounce into that now vacant area for a single.
A calm and considered start from England. Jacks has 6 (24), Stokes goes to 10 from 33 as he pinches the strike.
England 140/6 (38), trail by 37
04:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlex Carey is up to the stumps for Australia, trapping Will Jacks in his crease. He has kept so well in this Test, taking pretty much everything even with Scott Boland and Michael Neser up near 85mph at times.
After three balls, the wicketkeeper drops deeper. Boland gets one to lift towards the ribs of Will Jacks, who manages to pat it down. A turn around the corner earns him a single.
England 139/6 (37), trail by 38
04:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe first boundary of the day from Ben Stokes, whipping pleasantly straight of midwicket after Mitchell Starc tries to target his pads. No real alarm for England’s batters in the first couple of the day.
England 135/6 (36.2), trail by 42
04:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleMitchell Starc is tossed the ball at the other end, boasting as he does an outstanding record to Ben Stokes.
Two leaves wide outside off stump represent a simple enough task for the England captain.
England 135/6 (36), trail by 42
04:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere are two slips and a gully in for Australia first up, still protecting rather than going all out attack. Obviously Will Jacks is a very handy No 8 - he sees out the rest of Scott Boland’s opening over.
England 135/6 (35.1), trail by 42
04:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleA nudged single to midwicket. A solid start from Ben Stokes.
England 134/6, trail by 43
04:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleScott Boland has ball in hand. He begins with figures of 2-33 from 10 overs.
Ben Stokes has 4 (24) and is on strike; partner Will Jacks has faced nine balls for his four. Can they stave off 2-0?
England 134/6, trail by 43
03:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleBen Stokes and Will Jacks are ready to go, perched on their bats on the boundary. An unlikely England fightback or a swift Australian victory? Things could move quickly in this first session.
Day Four
03:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe pitch still looks decent enough, although we did see some variable bounce yesterday. It’s another warm day in Brisbane with the threat of some rain later - and indeed tomorrow....
Woeful England slide towards second Test defeat as Mitchell Starc and Australia dominate
03:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight, with play little more than 20 minutes away, here’s a reminder of what happened yesterday:
Woeful England slide towards second Test defeat as Starc and Australia dominate
Michael Neser hails Mitchell Starc after second Test heroics
03:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleMichael Neser hailed Mitchell Starc as the “greatest lefty of all time” after yesterday’s play after another start turn from Australia’s pace spearhead.
Starc, the experienced leader of the attack in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, struck twice late in the day after scoring 77 with the bat to continue a talismanic series.
“He’s a special player. He doesn’t like to admit it but he is the GOAT, the greatest lefty of all time,” said Neser, who like Starc and Scott Boland took two wickets. “He does it with the ball, the bat, and to be next to him, witnessing what he does, is just amazing. I don’t know how long he batted for but it was serious heat out there and to back it up with the ball like he did, it’s very special.”
Michael Vaughan criticises 'humiliated' England
03:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleMichael Vaughan bemoaned another day of "humiliation" for England after they collapsed to the brink of a second successive hefty Ashes defeat against Australia in Brisbane.
The tourists finished day three on 134 for six, still 43 adrift, at the Gabba and former captain Vaughan insisted they only had themselves to blame for sticking to their attacking philosophy.
Vaughan told BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: "England were humiliated in that second day in Perth, and today and yesterday.
"Australia have just dominated two days of cricket. From England having a decent day one we all got a bit excited within two days. Australia have gone, 'OK, we will show you how to bat in Test match cricket and then we will show you how to bowl'.
"This one way of playing and ultra-aggressive driving on the up at all costs when the ball is doing a bit just doesn't work.
"It's just not possible to play this style of cricket against quality bowlers. Let's just mention this Australian team have got over a thousand wickets not playing. This is their second string."
Marcus Trescothick insists England will stick to attacking principles despite Ashes collapse
03:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland's beleaguered batters have held "no discussions" about the repetitive nature of their Ashes dismissals, but assistant coach Marcus Trescothick insists they "respect the game".
The larger-than-life aggression that has characterised the ups and downs of the so-called 'Bazball' era has detonated on arrival in Australia, with a growing collection of increasingly familiar dismissals.
After being shot out for 172 and 164 in a two-day defeat in Perth, England are now staring at the likelihood of another heavy loss on day four of the day/night second Test at the Gabba.
Having watched Australia run up 511 for a first-innings lead of 177 in Brisbane, they responded by slumping to 134 for six as the pink ball worked its magic under lights. Another 43 runs were needed to just to stave off the indignity of an innings defeat.
England's batters have consistently tried to defy conventional wisdom, which dictates that driving expansively at the top of the bounce is a sure road to ruin on Australian pitches. It is a battle they have yet to win, instead feeding a steady stream of edges and return catches to the home attack.
Trescothick says England will stick to attacking principles despite Ashes collapse
And Australia's bowling figures
02:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleMitchell Starc 12-2-48-2
Michael Neser 7-0-27-2
Brendan Doggett 6-2-19-0
Scott Boland 10-2-33-2
England's batting card so far
02:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleHere’s how England stumbled and tumbled their way to 134/6 yesterday:
Zak Crawley 44 (59) c & b Neser
Ben Duckett 15 (18) b Boland
Ollie Pope 26 (32) c & b Neser
Joe Root 15 (36) c Carey b Starc
Harry Brook 15 (21) c Carey b Boland
Ben Stokes 4* (24)
Jamie Smith 4 (11) c Carey b Starc
Will Jacks 4* (9)
Yet to bat: Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer
Ben Stokes admits Robin Smith’s death just days after England Ashes squad visit ‘hits harder’
02:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland captain Ben Stokes has admitted the death of former batter Robin Smith "hits harder" after the cricketing legend connected with the touring squad in Perth just days before his passing.
Smith, a powerful right-hander renowned for his prowess against fast bowling, who played 62 Tests and 71 ODIs for England, died this week at the age of 62.
The poignant timing stems from Smith's recent visit as a guest at the first Ashes Test.
He also met members of the England Lions, at the invitation of their coach, Andrew Flintoff. During this encounter, Smith delivered a deeply emotive talk to the group at Lilac Hill cricket ground, with Test squad members Matthew Potts and Jacob Bethell among those present.
Stokes admits Smith’s death just days after England Ashes squad visit ‘hits harder’
Robin Smith was a Hampshire and England great and one of the very best – and bravest – in the face of raw pace
02:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe’ll continue to build up to today’s action in a moment, but this week saw the passing of Robin Smith, one of the best and bravest batters to have played for England. Richard Jolly remembers a man gone much too soon.
Robin Smith was one of the very best – and bravest – in the face of raw pace
Is there any hope for England?
01:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is a strong England tail - Jofra Archer showed in the first innings that they bat all the way down to No 11. The batting conditions should be much better in the first session today before tea. But the 43 they need to even make Australia bat again feel significant, and Australia can afford to keep attacking.
England squander two great opportunities
01:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleWith both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood yet to play in this series, it really does feel like England have missed two major opportunities. Nathan Lyon was left out of this game, of course, as well, while Usman Khawaja’s back issues have led to uncertainty at the top of the order. Has it mattered? Of course not. Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett stepped up yesterday to help spark Australia’s charge.
Seeing double! That's two incredible caught and bowleds in quick succession for Michael Neser. #Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/dXhQIenLsr
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2025
Australia bowler Josh Hazlewood suffers Ashes injury setback with new timeline for return
01:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere was more pessimistic news for Josh Hazlewood earlier in the Test, though, after another injury set-back for the seamer.
Australia bowler Josh Hazlewood suffers new Ashes injury setback
Pat Cummins set for Australia return in third Ashes Test: ‘I’ll be good to go’
01:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt appears that Mitchell Starc will have one of his running mates back alongside him in Adelaide - Australia captain Pat Cummins is on track to return for the third Test.
Pat Cummins set for Australia return in third Ashes Test: ‘I’ll be good to go’
Mitchell Starc stars again
00:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleHow good was Mitchell Starc yesterday? It’s turning into quite the series for the Australian left-armer, chipping in with 77 vital and patient runs to make England toil in the field and then removing Joe Root and Jamie Smith late in the day. He really is some cricketer.
England batting coach Marcus Trescothick reacts to his side's collapse
00:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleTrescothick told TNT Sports: "We're fairly philosophical about what we are trying to do and are obviously not quite operating as we need to. They have been better than us today and put us under a lot of pressure. It's always challenging when that happens.
"There's a lot more detail [why we are not operating] and not just highlighting one thing. We are trying to score runs when we can, and take wickets when we can. In certain areas we haven't been as good as we need to be for long enough. We try to do that and put it right all the time.
“Of course we work with them as coaches. Myself and Baz will talk with them about what we are trying to do and the principle of how we are trying to play our style of play. When we get it right we dominate and put pressure on the opposition.
"Other times we don't always get right and play bad shots, and that gets highlighted. It is what it is. You have to have some way of trying to play the game. Every game and innings with the batters we try to work out how we can make it better for next time. You play bad shots but sometimes you have to stick your principles with what you are trying to do."
Trescothick insists England will 'stick to principles' after disastrous day in Ashes
00:10 , Jack Rathborn"They've been better than us today, and they've dominated today," Trescothick said. "They've put us under a lot of pressure, and it's always challenging when that happens.
"We're trying to score as many runs as we can. We're trying to take wickets when we can.
“In certain areas, we probably haven't been as good as we need to be, for long enough. And we're trying, obviously, to do that and trying to put that right all the time."
Nasser Hussain questions Ollie Pope future after 'bizarre' dismissal
Saturday 6 December 2025 23:30 , Jack Rathborn"Pope's dismissal was utterly bizarre," said Hussain. "There is something in your brain that, however positive you want to be, driving on the up on this surface is not easy. We have seen that.
"Pope spoke to me about it on interview the other day - about learning from the first Test that there are certain shots you have to put away. On this Brisbane pitch, the drive on the up is not the shot to be playing.
"Pope nearly got caught and bowled early on, he then hit over the fielder Josh Inglis at cover and then he nicked one over slip off the outside edge. I sat in the press box thinking to myself, 'what is going through Pope's head now?' I would have been thinking 'that shot started a collapse in Perth so put it away'.
"But what does Pope do? He goes down the other end, drives on the up with a closed bat face and is caught and bowled as 90-1 becomes 90-2 and the collapse comes.
"That's where I question him. If I, sat up in the press room, can see a wicket coming, how can Pope himself not say, 'if I carry on batting like this I am going to get out'.
"Put that shot away for a while like the greats do. Steve Smith does it. Joe Root does it. Pope doesn't do it. He believes if he keeps doing it, he will get away with it."
Michael Neser opens up on new Australia chance in Ashes
Saturday 6 December 2025 23:10 , Jack Rathborn"To be honest, after last season when I thought I was bowling superbly...and I did my hammy really badly, I thought that could have been my chance [gone]," Neser said. "I've always dreamed about playing for Australia. It's something that I live and breathe, is cricket. So to be given another chance, I'm very honoured.
"It was a long recovery, think it was 12 weeks out of it, and I may have come back a week or two quicker than I should have. I probably wasn't 100% [fit] at the back end [of last summer]. I chose not to go to county cricket and focus on getting my body right for the start of the season and really focus on Australian summer. A big pre-season did me wonders. I feel strong again and I feel like my hammy is back to where it was."
England batting coach Marcus Trescothick reacts to dire Ashes situation
Saturday 6 December 2025 22:50 , Jack Rathborn"You are disappointed. Of course you are. We appreciate we are behind the game.
“But you have got to try to remain focused and positive on what you are trying to do. There's an opportunity here.
“Yes we are behind in the context of the game but we have to come out tomorrow and get to a position where we can have partnerships with the last few wickets we have and get a total we can have dart at."
Michael Vaughan criticises 'humiliated' England
Saturday 6 December 2025 22:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleMichael Vaughan bemoaned another day of "humiliation" for England after they collapsed to the brink of a second successive hefty Ashes defeat against Australia in Brisbane.
The tourists finished day three on 134 for six, still 43 adrift, at the Gabba and former captain Vaughan insisted they only had themselves to blame for sticking to their attacking philosophy.
Vaughan told BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: "England were humiliated in that second day in Perth, and today and yesterday.
"Australia have just dominated two days of cricket. From England having a decent day one we all got a bit excited within two days. Australia have gone, 'OK, we will show you how to bat in Test match cricket and then we will show you how to bowl'.
"This one way of playing and ultra-aggressive driving on the up at all costs when the ball is doing a bit just doesn't work.
"It's just not possible to play this style of cricket against quality bowlers. Let's just mention this Australian team have got over a thousand wickets not playing. This is their second string."
Scott Boland lauds Australia after seizing big advantage over England
Saturday 6 December 2025 22:40 , Jack RathbornScott Boland: "That was great fun, yes. We wanted to put the ball in the right areas as much as possible and I think we bowled pretty well there. England always play their shots and I felt if we put the balls in the right areas we'd get chances. Michael Neser held some great catches.
"Our main objective at the start of the day was to get some overs into the England bowlers for the second innings, but also stretch our bowling into the night session and Mitchell Starc batted awesome.
"Every fast bowler feels pain [when bowling] but Mitchell seems to push through more than most."
Woeful England slide towards second Test defeat as Mitchell Starc and Australia dominate
Saturday 6 December 2025 22:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland suffered another dose of despair at the Gabba as Australia moved in for the kill on day three of the second Ashes Test.
The tourists were a distant second best in every way as they hobbled to the brink of a loss that would leave them 2-0 down with three to play. Their hopes of reclaiming the urn were fading faster than ever as they faded to 134 for six, still 43 adrift.
It was abject viewing at a ground that has become synonymous with English heartache, Australia’s tailenders grinding the visiting attack into the Brisbane dirt.
Their last three wickets put on 128 runs as England’s weary bowlers struggled to make a dent against a lower-order who were taunting them with their mere presence.
In building a total of 511 and a lead of 177 they batted just long enough to use up the last of the natural light, then set about chopping down opponents who were unable to show the same diligence and dedication.
Woeful England slide towards second Test defeat as Starc and Australia dominate
England facing second Test defeat at the Gabba
Saturday 6 December 2025 12:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell then. Is there any hope for England? They begin day four still 43 runs behind Australia and with just four wickets left after collapsing late on day three to leave a 2-0 deficit all but certain. Ben Stokes and Will Jacks will resume looking to at least force the hosts to bat again.
