Australia tightened their grip on the 2025 Ashes series with a commanding eight-wicket triumph over England in the second Test at The Gabba, extending their lead to 2–0 and placing immense pressure on the visitors ahead of the remaining matches.

The hosts comfortably chased a modest target of 65 runs, reaching it in just 10 overs. Captain Steve Smith sealed the victory in emphatic fashion, launching a powerful six off England bowler Gus Atkinson to end the match.

Australia Outplay England in All Departments

Although England avoided a repeat of the shock two-day collapse in the first Test in Perth, the team again struggled to maintain competitive form. Australia outclassed the visitors with superior batting, bowling and fielding, leaving England with major questions to answer before the third Test.

England’s batting struggled throughout the match, with only a few standout performances from Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes, and Will Jacks. Several dismissals were the result of mistimed or overly aggressive shots, especially on the bouncy Brisbane surface.

Their bowlers also failed to capitalise with the pink ball during the day-night Test. England’s attack often bowled too short, allowing Australia’s batters to settle easily—particularly surprising given that Australia were missing star bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Fielding proved another weakness. England dropped five crucial catches in Australia’s first innings, while the home side maintained clinical standards throughout. A highlight was Josh Inglis’s run-out of Ben Stokes, which shifted the momentum firmly in Australia’s favour.

Australia Build a Dominant Lead

Australia’s first-innings total of 511 created significant pressure on England, especially after the visiting team fell six wickets down under the lights on Day 3. At that point, England were still trailing by 43 runs, leaving them in a vulnerable position entering Day 4.

Despite expectations of a quick finish, captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Will Jacks staged a resilient partnership on Sunday morning. They slowed down their typically aggressive style, choosing instead to defend patiently, rotate the strike and frustrate the Australian bowlers in the hot Brisbane conditions.

However, Australia regained control after Michael Neser dismissed Jacks thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Steve Smith in the slips. Neser soon removed Stokes as well, finishing with career-best figures of 5–42. England’s tail offered limited resistance, setting Australia a target that was never likely to trouble them.

Clinical Chase Seals the Win

Although Australia lost Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply during the short run chase, Smith and Jake Weatherald calmly guided the team to victory. The win puts Australia in a commanding position to retain the Ashes, with three matches remaining in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

The third Test begins on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval, where England must claim a victory to keep their hopes of reclaiming the Ashes alive. The series will then continue with the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and conclude in Sydney starting January 4.