Eng vs Aus: Aussies on fire! 8-wicket win powers a blazing 2-0 Ashes lead

Australia wrapped up the second Ashes Test with a commanding eight-wicket win over England at the Gabba, taking a 2-0 series lead and moving within one victory of sealing the Ashes. What began as a tense Day 4 ended with Steve Smith’s brilliance defining both innings, first through a game-changing catch, then by hammering the winning six.

Chasing just 65 runs after England were dismissed for 241, Australia completed the task inside 10 overs, either side of a short interval, finishing at 69 for 2. Smith was unstoppable in the final burst, staying unbeaten on 23 off just nine balls. He ramped Jofra Archer for four, launched him for six, and crossed 1,000 Test runs at the Gabba before sealing the match with another towering six. Jake Weatherald remained not out on 17.

England briefly attempted a fightback when Gus Atkinson removed Travis Head (22) and Marnus Labuschagne (3), but the target was too small for any real pressure to build. Storm clouds gathering over Brisbane never had a chance to influence the outcome.

Earlier in the day, England showed uncharacteristic patience. Ben Stokes shelved Bazball entirely, batting with old-school grit for a 148-ball half-century, the second slowest of his career. With Will Jacks (41), he put on a 96-run seventh-wicket stand that gave England a slender lead and some belief.

But the turning point came just before the night session. Michael Neser drew an edge from Jacks, and Steve Smith, standing in as captain, flew to his left at slip to take a stunning one-handed catch. That dismissal collapsed England’s resistance almost instantly. From 193 for 6, the visitors folded for 241, losing four wickets for just 17 runs. Neser finished with a superb five-wicket haul (5-42).

Stokes reached his fifty but could not carry on, falling caught behind to Neser with Alex Carey standing up to the stumps. His frustration was clear as he walked back after a valiant effort that had momentarily revived England’s hopes.

Australia’s bowlers had already done the hard work across Days 3 and 4. Scott Boland sparked the earlier collapse, while Neser’s athletic caught-and-bowled dismissals of Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope shifted momentum firmly towards the hosts. Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith followed quickly, leaving England battling to stay afloat throughout.

With this win, Australia now sit comfortably ahead in the series. England’s chances of reclaiming the Ashes depend entirely on a dramatic turnaround in the third Test, beginning December 17 at the Adelaide Oval. A victory for Australia there will secure the series with two matches to spare. The final two Tests will be played on Boxing Day in Melbourne and at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 4.