Australia complete eight-wicket win - go 2-0 up in five-game series - report
Smith hits 23 off 9 balls to seal rapid victory
England bat through morning session to delay inevitable
Stokes and Jacks share 96-run stand for seventh wicket
Stokes (50) follows soon after as England lose last four wickets for 17 runs
Third Test in Adelaide on 17 December (23:30 16 December GMT)
Carse c Smith b Neser 7 (Eng 241)
Michael Neser has five on his home ground. England are all out.
Brydon Carse is on the back foot attempting to flash at a delivery from Neser back of a length but ends up nicking it to Steve Smith in the slips.
Neser was a horses for course selection for this Test and has fully justified his inclusion with 5-42 at the Gabba.
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
Last wicket, you may as well have a dart.
You have got to get stuck in to earn the right to play those shots.
Jofra Archer with another pull off Brendan Doggett. This time it's dead square and beats the dive of Jake Wetherald on the square-leg boundary and goes for four.
Lead by 59 runs
Jofra Archer gets off the mark with a pull off Brendan Doggett.
Australia's catching has been superb. England's less so.
Srinivas Vijaykumar
CricViz analyst
Image source, Getty ImagesAustralia's catching efficiency of 84% is the best for any team in Tests since the start of 2024.
In this Ashes, Australia have a catching efficiency of 86% with five dropped catches while England are at 71% with seven dropped catches.
Brydon Carse has a filthy slog at a delivery from Michael Neser which comes down with snow on when it safely plops into the leg side. England run three.
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
I don't know how to explain that dismissal for Gus Atkinson.
Steve Smith was fielding at slip, and he has gone, 'Hold on a minute. You're trying to slog it to seven of the fielders on the leg side'. That sends such a bad tone, like we don't think we can hang around here.
That is giving away your wicket. Atkinson can bat! It is like, 'There you go, you don't have to do anything for it.'
Sorry, but that is poor. Where is your fight? Where is your pride playing for your country?
I know it is difficult. You have just seen your skipper battling away! Oh dear...
Just joining us? Well, after a few hours of resistance, wickets are tumbling.
England were 134-6 overnight, trailing Australia by 43 runs, but instead of the inevitable collapse, captain Ben Stokes and Will Jacks had other ideas.
They played out the first wicketless session of the series to take England to 193-6 at the end of the first session, leading by 16 runs, and continued in a similar vein after the break.
Chances were scant for Australia – Stokes edged Scott Boland over a leaping Cameron Green at gully in the first session and Jacks saw one drop just short of Josh Inglis in the covers in the second – and it took a spectacular reaction grab from Steve Smith to break the partnership.
Shooting to his left, he snagged a one-handed grab just above the grass at first slip to remove Jacks for 41 (92). He and Stokes had put on 96 (221) for the seventh wicket.
Although Stokes brought up his half-century off 148 deliveries in the following over, he quickly followed Jacks back to the changing room, edging behind to Alex Carey – his fourth catch of the innings and Michael Neser’s fourth wicket.
Gus Atkinson then gifted a routine catch to Smith, pulling needlessly to mid-wicket, to leave England nine down. They lead by 54 runs.
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator
Image source, Getty ImagesSome of the dimmest cricket I have ever seen.
Atkinson c Smith b Doggett 3 (Eng 231-9)
Caught on the pull. England nine down.
Brendan Doggett has bowled short stuff all day and while Will Jacks and Ben Stokes doggedly resisted the temptation to play the big shot unfortunately Gus Atkinson departs in rather predictable fashion.
It's dropped halfway down the pitch by Doggett and Atkinson attempts to keep it down, but with Smith stood up at mid-wicket he safely pouches near the bread basket.
Three wickets in the space of 10 minutes.
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
Well played England's captain, he is livid with himself.
The pink-ball specialist does it again, Michael Neser.
At least we have seen a bit of fight and hopefully that will rub off on England's dressing room.
Stokes c Carey b Neser 50 (Eng 227-8)
Nicked off.
Alex Carey, stood up to the stumps, take a smart catch as Ben Stokes fiddles his bat at one which climbs into him ever so slightly from Michael Neser.
Stokes swings his bat in frustration as he walks off. He just about resists throwing his helmet and gloves to the turf as he crosses the rope.
Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
England playing with a bit of spirit today. Ben Stokes leads from the front with everything that he does.
*Winces
I think that's all many of us were asking for, isn't it Andrew? Just a bit of common sense.
Gus Atkinson is off the mark with a single.
Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say
Far easier to accept us (potentially) being beaten when the players bat like that. Great effort from Will Jacks and unfortunately a great catch from Steve Smith. Time for Ben Stokes to change plan?
Andrew, Nottingham
Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
What is important is that this pair stay out there up until the point that the new pink ball is taken.
My worry is if they lose one wicket the tailenders will just try to slog it.
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator
Image source, Getty ImagesTremendous resistance from the England captain.
Ben Stokes works the first ball of Brendan Doggett's over through point.
England's captain has a battling half-century to his name.
Andy Zaltzman
Test Match Special statistician
The partnership between Will Jacks and Ben Stokes lasted longer than either of England's entire innings in Perth in the first Test.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crawley,caught Carey, bowled Neser Crawley, caught Carey, bowled Neser | 76 | 93 | 58 | 11 | 0 | 138 | 81.72 |
Duckett,caught Labuschagne, bowled Starc Duckett, caught Labuschagne, bowled Starc | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.00 |
Pope,bowled Starc Pope, bowled Starc | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0.00 |
Root,not out Root, not out | 138 | 206 | 131 | 15 | 1 | 379 | 66.99 |
Brook,caught Smith, bowled Starc Brook, caught Smith, bowled Starc | 31 | 33 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 58 | 93.94 |
Stokes,run out Inglis Stokes, run out Inglis | 19 | 49 | 42 | 4 | 0 | 76 | 38.78 |
Smith,bowled Boland Smith, bowled Boland | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 |
Jacks,caught Smith, bowled Starc Jacks, caught Smith, bowled Starc | 19 | 31 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 61.29 |
Atkinson,caught Carey, bowled Starc Atkinson, caught Carey, bowled Starc | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 133.33 |
Carse,caught Carey, bowled Starc Carse, caught Carey, bowled Starc | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 |
Archer,caught Labuschagne, bowled Doggett Archer, caught Labuschagne, bowled Doggett | 38 | 36 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 54 | 105.56 |
Extras, no balls 1, wides 3, byes 4, leg byes 1, total 9 Extras, no balls 1, wides 3, byes 4, leg byes 1, total 9 | |||||||
Total,334 all out 76.2 overs Total,334 all out 76.2 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starc | 20.0 | 0 | 75 | 6 | 79 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 3.75 |
Neser | 14.0 | 3 | 43 | 1 | 61 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3.07 |
Boland | 19.0 | 1 | 87 | 1 | 77 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 4.57 |
Doggett | 15.2 | 1 | 81 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 5.28 |
Green | 8.0 | 1 | 43 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5.37 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
5 for 1 (0.6 overs) | Duckett |
5 for 2 (2.3 overs) | Pope |
122 for 3 (27.5 overs) | Crawley |
176 for 4 (39.2 overs) | Brook |
210 for 5 (54.6 overs) | Stokes |
211 for 6 (55.3 overs) | Smith |
251 for 7 (64.5 overs) | Jacks |
264 for 8 (66.2 overs) | Atkinson |
264 for 9 (66.4 overs) | Carse |
334 for 10 (76.2 overs) | Archer |
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Head,caught Atkinson, bowled Carse Head, caught Atkinson, bowled Carse | 33 | 43 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 59 | 76.74 |
Weatherald,leg before wicket, bowled Archer Weatherald, leg before wicket, bowled Archer | 72 | 78 | 48 | 12 | 1 | 121 | 92.31 |
Labuschagne,caught Smith, bowled Stokes Labuschagne, caught Smith, bowled Stokes | 65 | 78 | 52 | 9 | 1 | 116 | 83.33 |
Smith,caught Jacks, bowled Carse Smith, caught Jacks, bowled Carse | 61 | 85 | 59 | 5 | 2 | 157 | 71.76 |
Green,bowled Carse Green, bowled Carse | 45 | 57 | 37 | 7 | 0 | 97 | 78.95 |
Carey,caught Smith, bowled Atkinson Carey, caught Smith, bowled Atkinson | 63 | 69 | 36 | 6 | 0 | 128 | 91.30 |
Inglis,bowled Stokes Inglis, bowled Stokes | 23 | 25 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 36 | 92.00 |
Neser,caught Smith, bowled Stokes Neser, caught Smith, bowled Stokes | 16 | 41 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 55 | 39.02 |
Starc,caught Stokes, bowled Carse Starc, caught Stokes, bowled Carse | 77 | 141 | 106 | 13 | 0 | 154 | 54.61 |
Boland,not out Boland, not out | 21 | 72 | 61 | 3 | 0 | 152 | 29.17 |
Doggett,caught Brook, bowled Jacks Doggett, caught Brook, bowled Jacks | 13 | 21 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 61.90 |
Extras, no balls 5, wides 6, byes 4, leg byes 7, total 22 Extras, no balls 5, wides 6, byes 4, leg byes 7, total 22 | |||||||
Total,511 all out 117.3 overs Total,511 all out 117.3 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Archer | 25.0 | 3 | 87 | 1 | 109 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 3.48 |
Atkinson | 28.0 | 6 | 114 | 1 | 120 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 4.07 |
Carse | 29.0 | 3 | 152 | 4 | 115 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 3 | 5.24 |
Stokes | 24.0 | 0 | 113 | 3 | 93 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 4.70 |
Jacks | 11.3 | 2 | 34 | 1 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2.95 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
77 for 1 (13.1 overs) | Head |
146 for 2 (25.5 overs) | Weatherald |
196 for 3 (37.1 overs) | Labuschagne |
291 for 4 (56.1 overs) | Green |
292 for 5 (56.4 overs) | Smith |
329 for 6 (63.5 overs) | Inglis |
383 for 7 (75.6 overs) | Neser |
416 for 8 (82.6 overs) | Carey |
491 for 9 (110.2 overs) | Starc |
511 for 10 (117.3 overs) | Doggett |
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crawley,caught and bowled Neser Crawley, caught and bowled Neser | 44 | 59 | 39 | 6 | 0 | 104 | 74.58 |
Duckett,bowled Boland Duckett, bowled Boland | 15 | 18 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 83.33 |
Pope,caught and bowled Neser Pope, caught and bowled Neser | 26 | 32 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 46 | 81.25 |
Root,caught Carey, bowled Starc Root, caught Carey, bowled Starc | 15 | 36 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 41.67 |
Brook,caught Carey, bowled Boland Brook, caught Carey, bowled Boland | 15 | 21 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 43 | 71.43 |
Stokes,caught Carey, bowled Neser Stokes, caught Carey, bowled Neser | 50 | 152 | 120 | 4 | 0 | 229 | 32.89 |
Smith,caught Carey, bowled Starc Smith, caught Carey, bowled Starc | 4 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 36.36 |
Jacks,caught Smith, bowled Neser Jacks, caught Smith, bowled Neser | 41 | 92 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 183 | 44.57 |
Atkinson,caught Smith, bowled Doggett Atkinson, caught Smith, bowled Doggett | 3 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 23.08 |
Carse,caught Smith, bowled Neser Carse, caught Smith, bowled Neser | 7 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 70.00 |
Archer,not out Archer, not out | 5 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 55.56 |
Extras, no balls 1, wides 2, byes 8, leg byes 5, total 16 Extras, no balls 1, wides 2, byes 8, leg byes 5, total 16 | |||||||
Total,241 all out 75.2 overs Total,241 all out 75.2 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starc | 18.0 | 2 | 64 | 2 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3.55 |
Neser | 16.2 | 2 | 42 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2.57 |
Doggett | 17.0 | 2 | 56 | 1 | 71 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3.29 |
Boland | 17.0 | 4 | 47 | 2 | 79 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2.76 |
Green | 5.0 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3.00 |
Head | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
Labuschagne | 1.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.00 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
48 for 1 (7.4 overs) | Duckett |
90 for 2 (17.1 overs) | Pope |
97 for 3 (21.2 overs) | Crawley |
121 for 4 (26.3 overs) | Root |
123 for 5 (29.3 overs) | Brook |
128 for 6 (32.3 overs) | Smith |
224 for 7 (69.1 overs) | Jacks |
227 for 8 (71.5 overs) | Stokes |
231 for 9 (72.3 overs) | Atkinson |
241 for 10 (75.2 overs) | Carse |
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Head,bowled Atkinson Head, bowled Atkinson | 22 | 22 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 100.00 |
Weatherald,not out Weatherald, not out | 17 | 23 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 51 | 73.91 |
Labuschagne,caught Smith, bowled Atkinson Labuschagne, caught Smith, bowled Atkinson | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 50.00 |
Smith,not out Smith, not out | 23 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 255.56 |
Extras, no balls 0, wides 0, byes 4, leg byes 0, total 4 Extras, no balls 0, wides 0, byes 4, leg byes 0, total 4 | |||||||
Total,69 for 2 10.0 overs Total,69 for 2 10.0 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Archer | 5.0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5.60 |
Atkinson | 5.0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7.40 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
37 for 1 (5.5 overs) | Head |
41 for 2 (7.3 overs) | Labuschagne |