England Collapse Again as Australia Tighten Grip at The Gabba

England walked off The Gabba with heads bowed and problems piling up as another twilight collapse left them 134-6 at stumps on day 3 of the 2nd Ashes Test. They trail Australia by 43 runs and face a near-certain 2-0 series hole unless Ben Stokes produces another escape act from a position that feels far more fragile than the scorecard suggests. Stokes stands on four overnight, and England cling to him again.

Starc’s 77 Extends Australia’s Grip

Australia began the morning at 378-6, holding a first-innings lead of 44. England needed early breakthroughs. Stokes delivered the first when he removed Michael Neser for 16. Gus Atkinson struck next when he dismissed Alex Carey for 63. England sensed a foothold, but it didn’t last.

Mitchell Starc owned the session as he scored a superb 77 that drained England’s energy and patience. He farmed the strike and forced the bowlers to keep searching. He changed the tone of the innings with smart risks and stubborn defence. He also found a committed partner in Scott Boland, who blocked, nudged, and frustrated England for 21 not out.

Their 9-wicket stand stretched to 75 across more than 27 overs, and England watched momentum drift away. Australia pushed their total to 511 before England finally ended the innings at dusk. The timing could not have been worse for the visitors. It handed Australia the new pink ball under perfect conditions.

Twilight Turns Ruthless Again

England needed resilience at the top and needed old-fashioned patience. But Ben Duckett fell first for 15 while Scott Boland hit the perfect channel. The ball skidded low as Duckett jammed his bat down, and this toe-edge crashed into the stumps. Boland wheeled away in quiet celebration as England’s night began to slip.

Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope counter-punched for a short spell and added 42 runs. Crawley drove cleanly, while Pope found gaps. Crawley, at 44, failed to learn from Pope’s mistake as Neser accepted the return catch and howled in delight. England dropped from 64-2 to 88-4 in what felt like minutes.

Root, Brook, and Smith Add To the Trouble

Joe Root never settled as he edged behind for just 15. The Australians celebrated because they knew that dismissal could break England further.

Harry Brook tried to ride the pressure, but Boland stayed relentless. His hard length forced a thin edge, and DRS confirmed it. Brook walked back for 15 with frustration written all over his face. Jamie Smith lasted only eleven balls, and his dismissal added more tension in the English dressing room. 

Starc now owns 18 wickets in this series and looks untouchable with the pink ball in Brisbane conditions.

England’s Bowlers Show Fight But Lack Support

England bowled with more control in the morning than they did on day two. Stokes delivered long, bruising spells. Yet they struggled once the ball softened and the shoulders sagged. By the time Starc and Boland finished their partnership, the hosts held a 177-run lead that shaped the rest of the day.

England’s batters now face a long and uncomfortable task. The pitch has quickened as the ball is nipping, and the match's situation demands poise; they have rarely shown this series.

Stokes Holds England’s Last Hope

Stokes ends the day unbeaten on four, but this challenge feels enormous. England now trails by 43 runs, and their lower order must survive the early blows. 

Ashes 2025–26: Series Results So Far

1st Test, Perth: Australia won by eight wickets

2nd Test, Brisbane: Ongoing, Australia leads strongly after Day 3

3rd Test: December 17–21, Adelaide Oval

4th Test: December 25–29, Melbourne Cricket Ground

5th Test: January 4–8, Sydney Cricket Ground