Starc, Neser Storm Crashes England, Australia Go 2-0 Up in the Ashes

Australia sealed a dominant victory on day four of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, cruising to an eight-wicket win and taking a 2–0 lead in the five-match series. In the absence of Pat Cummins, the spotlight belonged to 35-year-old Michael Neser, who returned to Test cricket after three years and became the hero of the match with a fiery spell of 5–42 that plunged England into a batting collapse.

With Steve Smith producing outstanding catches in the slip cordon, England were bundled out for 241. That left Australia needing only 65 runs for victory. After the dinner break, Jake Weatherald (17*) and captain Smith (23*) chased down the target with ease, Smith finishing the match in style with a six.

A heated exchange between Jofra Archer and Smith also caught attention during the match. Later, Smith downplayed the incident, saying, “Whatever was said stays on the field. Archer is a tough competitor.”

England captain Ben Stokes described the match as “very disappointing.” Although Stokes (50) and Will Jacks (41) showed resistance in the first session, England’s troubles began once again after Stokes took a painful blow from a Neser delivery. He eventually recovered to reach his fifty, but Jacks fell shortly afterward to a breathtaking one-handed catch by Smith in the slips—a moment that triggered England’s collapse. The last four wickets fell for just 17 runs.

A comeback in this series now seems almost impossible for England. Only one team in Ashes history has ever overturned a 2–0 deficit to win a series—Don Bradman’s Australia in 1936/37. Judging by England’s current form, such a turnaround appears highly unlikely.

Australia, on the other hand, may get even stronger for the third Test. Despite fielding what was essentially a third-string attack at the Gabba, they secured a comfortable win. Regular captain Pat Cummins and premier spinner Nathan Lyon are expected to return for the Adelaide Test, which will further boost the hosts.