England Crumbles on Third Day of Second Ashes Test in Brisbane 2025
England’s aspirations in the second Ashes Test have taken a significant hit following a challenging third day in Brisbane. With a long history of struggles at the Gabba, the team’s performance once again fell short of expectations, leaving them in dire straits.
Third Day Struggles for England
The atmosphere at the Gabba was electric, with a passionate crowd supporting the Australian side. England started their second innings under pressure, trailing by 177 runs after Australia’s first innings total of 511. By the end of the day, England found themselves at 134 for 6, still requiring 43 runs to even the match.
England’s Disappointing Batting Performance
Despite a promising start, where they reached 45 without loss, England’s batting crumbled under the Australian bowlers. Key players fell to avoidable mistakes:
- Ben Duckett was bowled by Scott Boland with a delivery that caught him off guard.
- Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley were dismissed after ill-timed drives from Michael Neser.
- Even seasoned player Joe Root edged a ball from Mitchell Starc to the slips.
- Wicketkeeper Harry Brook nicked Boland, further compounding England’s woes.
- Jamie Smith also fell to Starc in a similar fashion, emphasizing the team’s struggles.
Ben Stokes, the captain of England, remained unbeaten at four runs, accompanied by Will Jacks. However, he is finding it increasingly challenging to inspire a recovery amidst the turmoil.
Australia’s Dominance
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc played a pivotal role in their dominance, contributing 77 runs with the bat. This performance kept England on the field for nearly two sessions, exposing their vulnerabilities.
The prolonged nature of the outing in Brisbane sunshine only added to the uncomfortable atmosphere for the visitors. As England grappled with their batting issues, defeat loomed closer, and the team struggled to find a way back into the match.
Overall, the day presented yet another chapter of disappointment for England in Brisbane, with their Ashes campaign hanging by a thread.
