Now this next Ashes test was much entertaining than the opening Perth match-up that lasted the normal average on four out of five days of play, especially in a day/nighter with the pink ball at Brisbane’s iconic Gabba ground.
We first saw a good England batting spell led by the one and only Joe Root following his own much-needed 100.
However, Australia fought back with their die-hard attitude off the willow while England let themselves loose for the Tail Enders to capitalise on what has been “extended points” runs following dropped catches and poor fielding.
That uplifted Baggy Green spirit continued to breathe well into their 2nd innings bowling spell and at the of this 2nd Test, winning runs once again.
Can’t believe we had our own WWE moment towards the end just before the rain has arrived as expected — as if the ICC commissioned that World Heavyweight Championship fight (Ashes Edition) between Steve Smith and Jofra Archer.
But hey, Smith won that belt and the match with his sublime batting over Jofra’s lip-read remarks for Australia.
It comes after both Travis Head (who got away with the match-winning T20-style runs from Perth) and Marnus Labuschagne were unable to wrap up this small but achievable run chase home themselves with poorly digit scores recorded against these two.
If that finish to the 2nd Ashes Test got away with a perfectly timed script for a random TV show, why not check out our weekly recap posts once every weekend with General Hospital?
Yes, it’s also entertaining but gotta love soaps with the added touch of drama and an element of surprise along the way.
Like Smith v Archer, we’ve saw familiar faces return just in time for Thanksgiving recently.
But some were strange & fired up though than you think considering when Laura Collins and Sonny Corinthos faced worse enemies than Mr. Jenz Sidwell before with a huge “get out of jail” job to do following his night of aggressive blackmail in this latest one here.
While there’s a lot to unpack from Port Charles to big time sport (currently off-season mode), happy to have Shenol M. Wilson back onboard where he will reflect on these important moments by both teams from this 2nd Ashes Test.
Ruthless Australia dismantle Bazball theory to get a paramount lead over English Boys
Most awaited second Test of the 2025 Ashes at The Gabba was a scorching pink ball affair that didn’t just hand Australia a commanding 2-0 series lead, but also delivered a psychological blow with damage to a touring English boys.
Australia’s eight wicket victory, completed before the close on day four, was less of a win and more a ruthless demonstration of class in home conditions.
This was the match taken away from England after a first innings display of individual brilliance.
Joe Root‘s magnificent, maiden Test century in Australia where he scored 138, rescued the tourists from 5/2, guiding them to a respectable 334.
Root’s serene batting was a momentary joy, but ultimately, it only served to highlight the talent of him.
Australia’s response was a collective, grinding effort. Despite the absence of Pat Cummins, the stand in captain Steve Smith led his side to a mammoth 511.
Crucially, it was the lower order surge featuring half centuries from Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne, and a wonderful 77 from Mitchell Starc at number nine that batted England into the dust, securing a 177-run lead.
Mitchell Starc’s all-round performance, having also taken 6-75 with the ball, rightly earned him the Player of the Match award.
Smaller problems became costly for England with more extra rewards by Australia
The twilight session on Day 3 decided the fate of England.
Facing the new pink kookaburra ball under lights, their second innings collapsed in spectacular fashion, losing six wickets for an almost identical score to the first day’s horrors.
The hero of the English second innings was Michael Neser, the hometown pink ball specialist, who crashed through the middle and lower order to claim his first Test five-wicket haul (5-42 Runs).
Day four offered a brief, stoic resistance as Ben Stokes (50 Runs) and Will Jacks put on a 96 run partnership of pure defiance. Their old-school, cautious approach was a welcome contrast to the team’s ‘Bazball’ philosophy and an admission that time at the crease was paramount.
However, a sensational, diving catch from the ever-present Smith to dismiss Jacks broke the deadlock, and the innings folded quickly thereafter for English.
Game’s done just in time ahead of the (expected) rain
Chasing a small score of 65, the Australians cruised to victory, though not without an explosive, trash-talking cameo from Smith, who hit the winning runs with a powerful six off Gus Atkinson, immediately after a fiery verbal exchange with Jofra Archer.
The image of Smith finishing the match with a maximum and a final, pointed sledge perfectly depicted the rivalry between the two sides which was not shown publicly for a while.
England now finds itself 2-0 down, needing a historical miracle to win the series from here to get their pride back to prove their theory back. Can they really get back their form over ruthless Aussies?We will wait and watch in few days.
