Australia vs England Ball by Ball Commentary - The Ashes 2025/26

Righto, that brings us to a wrap to this second Ashes Test. Australia go 2-0 up in the series, which pushes England back into a must-win territory. They need to win all three remaining Tests to avoid a series defeat, which honestly, looks really challenging given how their batting has struggled so far. And with Pat Cummins ready to don the whites for the Aussies in the next game, the challenge for the tourists will just elevate a notch more. The third Test will be played in Adelaide on Wednesday, 17th December, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 11.30 pm GMT (the previous day). Until then, you can follow the cricketing action from elsewhere. Take care, cheers.

It's time to hear it from the victorious captain of Australia, Steve Smith, who is all smiles. He says he is pretty chill now. Highlights that the guys toiled hard early on. Adds that the partnership between Stokes and Jacks was frustrating, but also says that they broke it at the right time. Shares that the first two days were pretty even. Says that the game turned for them when they extended those partnerships with the bat. Also highlights that every batter got into double figures. Appreciates the way the tailenders batted for over 50 overs. And also details that to extend that period so that they could bowl under lights was a great effort. Admits that it can be a bit tricky with the pink ball but says the guys contributed well overall. Points out that Michael Neser made their batting look a bit longer coming in at number eight. Says he offers something different than the other guys. Appreciates his bowling effort by saying it was pleasing to see him pick up a five-for in front of his home crowd. On Alex Carey's keeping, Smith calls him a freak. Says that the ball just sticks in his hands and he hasn't got any fear of standing up to the pacers as well. He says that this was his best wicket-keeping performance in a long while. About his own catch to dismiss Jacks, Smith says it was tough, especially when you have a pink ball and the lights are on. Admits that he was a bit blinded by Carey, but they needed to break that partnership. Wraps up by telling that the last couple of games were fun and the boys put on some terrific performances and executed the plans well. He then humbly says that he will give the captaincy armband back to Cummins from the next game.

The English captain, Ben Stokes, now walks up to have a chat and reflects on the defeat. Stokes says that it is a disappointing loss. Adds that a lot of it comes down to not being able to handle the pressure well in this format. Mentions that they have done well in small passages but have let it slip away in both games, which is an area of concern. Says that it is definitely not down to the skill of the players, as they have a lot of quality in the squad. Tells that they have to dig deep and find out what's going wrong and you can live with not being able to execute your plans because no one means to bowl away from the plans. Further adds that Archer and Gus set the tone, but he and Carse let the pressure off, allowing them to score quickly. Says that this has been a constant theme where the Aussies have played better in the pressure moments. Adds that they say Australia is not for weak men, and they are certainly not weak, but need to find a way to do better. Ends by saying that he has full belief in the dressing room, the talents they have and will not go down without a fight in the next three Tests.

Mitchell Starc is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant performance with the ball and bat as well. He picked up 8 wickets in the match, and also scored a pivotal 77 runs with the bat, which helped Australia to get a very strong lead. He starts by expressing his happiness to win two in two and says he cannot ask for more. Shares that they have seen that the pink ball gets softer very early at this venue and reckons that batting and putting runs on the board was a key here. Appreciates the way Neser bowled in front of his home crowd. On his bowling, he says he is trying to bowl as fast as he can and hit the stumps as much as possible. About his batting, he says it was nice to put on a partnership out there. Details that there is a tactical side to the Pink Ball Tests and adds that if you bat longer, it would be great. Also adds that it is better to bowl with the new hard pink ball under the lights and credits the lower order batters for hanging in there to stretch their batting a little longer. Shares that they did get the rewards with the ball eventually. Feels happy to contribute with the bat down the order. Admits that he is a bit too old to be called a bowling all rounder, and expresses his surprise to see how the likes of Ben Stokes keep doing that for as long as they can. Concludes by saying that he will put his feet up and enjoy an extra day before starting to prepare for the third Test in Adelaide.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Let's hear it from the man of the moment, STEVE SMITH, who is up for a chat with Isa Guha on the sidelines. Smith says that Archer was bowling pretty quick, and it felt right to play a few shots with the storm also coming around. Adds that what was said between him and Archer stays on the field. It was good banter and fun and calls Archer a great competitor. Mentions that the boys played exceptionally well. Says that the tail was unbelievable and gave them the chance to bowl under lights and they managed to pick up 6 wickets, which was really crucial. Tells that Jacks and Stokes got a good partnership and as long as Stokesy is out there, you never know what will happen, but credit to the bowlers for keeping the target to just 60-odd runs.

Coming into the fourth day's play, England were already walking a tight rope. But skipper Ben Stokes and Will Jacks put everything aside and focused on building on a resilient partnership. The 'Bazball' was kept in a locker room as the two took their own time at the crease and more importantly, went unbeaten in the opening session. But as they say, you cannot give Australia an inch, especially at home in an Ashes series. England looked well placed for a meaningful fightback, but then Michael Neser arrived and turned everything on its head by picking up his maiden Test five-wicket haul in front of his home crowd. With Jacks and Stokes both dismissed in a quick span, the wheels just came off for the tourists as they were bundled up on 241, handing a skinny target of 65 runs to Australia, which the hosts treated like a stroll in the park. They did lose a couple of wickets, but Smith's strokeplay perfectly capped off another dominating win for the Aussies.

What looked like a position of strength at 90/1 quickly unraveled into chaos for England on Day 3. Ollie Pope's rash shot opened the floodgates, and suddenly the Gabba pitch that had seemed docile began talking. The ball started moving, cracks opened up, and English batters lost all sense of footwork. In a brutal 90-minute spell, England plummeted from 90/1 to 128/6, losing five wickets in just 15 overs. Michael Neser sparked the collapse before Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland twisted the knife. Despite a bright start to their chase that saw them race to 45 without loss by Dinner, England were trailing by 43 runs with only four wickets remaining, their backs firmly against the wall.

Australia's tail wagged furiously when it mattered most. After criticism for their aggressive approach on Day 2, the lower order ground England into submission on Day 3. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland batted for nearly 28 overs in a match-defining 75-run partnership for the ninth wicket, turning a modest lead into a stranglehold. Their dogged resistance stretched across 133 runs from the last four wickets, completely deflating England's bowlers. What should have been a manageable deficit of 82 ballooned to 177, and while England's openers initially responded with intent, the momentum gained from that defiant stand carried through. Starc's 77 earned him the unofficial title of the day. But, each and every Aussie that took the crease got a start and scored in double digits with the likes of Steve Smith, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey notching up their respective fifties.

Joe Root and Jofra Archer stretched their 10th wicket stand to a vital 70 runs, dragging the tourists from a precarious 264 for 9 to a competitive 334. That partnership might not seem monumental in isolation, but in a tight Test match, those extra runs could prove decisive. Root, who had earlier compiled his first Test century on Australian soil, showed typical grit and determination to farm the strike and ensure England milked every possible run. After the early wobble at 5 for 2, this final act of resistance capped what became a recovery innings built on patience and application.

England have serious soul-searching ahead. The scorecard tells a clear story. Those who showed discipline and trusted the basics prospered, while those who couldn't resist the temptation fell cheaply. Zak Crawley laid the foundation in the first innings with a solid knock before missing out on three figures, but it was Root's century that anchored the innings. Mitchell Starc exploited every lapse in concentration with a superb six-wicket haul, yet without the injured Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, or Nathan Lyon to apply pressure from the other end, he lacked the sustained support needed to bowl England out cheaply. That absence allowed Root and the tail to dig in, frustrate the Australians, and push England from an under-par total into something they can genuinely fight with.

Captain Steve Smith sends a strong message. He finishes with 23 off just 9 balls, landing another gut-punching blow on England. It got heated towards the end, but all is well that ends well. Handshakes between Steve Smith and Jofra Archer, and the rest of the English players too. A convincing win in Perth followed by total domination in Brisbane gives Australia a strong 2-0 lead in the 2025/26 Ashes. Also, this is Australia's 13th Pink Ball Test win on home soil out of 14 matches. The record just keeps getting better and better for them in the longest format.

Steve Smith comes out to the middle now.

Jofra Archer to bowl from the other end.

Marnus Labuschagne walks out to bat at number 3.

Welcome back for the final session. The English players take their spots in the field. Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to resume their batting for Australia. Gus Atkinson to bowl the first over of the session. His figures read 2-0-19-0 so far. Head to face. Here we go...

... DAY 4, THIRD SESSION ...

Coming into the chase, there was no reason for the hosts to take their time. On the expected lines, Travis Head and Jake Weatherald came out with a very positive intent and have already chewed up more than half the target in just five overs. They just need 32 more runs to win this Pink Ball Test at The Gabba and stamp their authority on the series. These two would aim to do the job without losing their wickets. Back in a bit for the final session of the day and also this Test. Play resumes at 9 am GMT. Stay tuned.

The partnership blossomed nicely, but just as it threatened to become dangerous, a fantastic catch from Steve Smith at first slip ended their 96-run stand. Things flipped quickly. Right after reaching his fifty, Stokes was also dismissed by Neser. That was the opening Australia needed. After that, they simply refused to let England hang around. Michael Neser completed his five-wicket haul by dismantling the English batting order, whereas Steve Smith was simply outstanding for taking three brilliant catches and was also spot on with his captaincy.

After a frustrating opening session of the fourth day from the Australian point of view, the alliance between Stokes and Jacks continued the resistance against the Aussie pace attack. To be fairly critical, the Australian bowlers were a bit too short on a pitch where landing on a good length could have proved much more threatening. With the ball softening up, that tactic didn't give them the results and allowed both batters to settle in nicely.

If the opening session belonged to the tourists, built on dogged resistance from Stokes and Jacks, the middle session was all about the Australian comeback. As they say, never give the Aussies an opening, or they will come crashing through in a pack. Things quickly flipped as the shadows lengthened and now, Australia are on the verge of extending their lead in this series.

Gus Atkinson to operate from the other end.