England ended day three of the second Ashes Test with a welcome burst of confidence, despite Australia tightening their hold on the match at The Gabba.
The hosts’ first-innings score of 511, giving them a lead of 177 runs, left the tourists staring at a long road back, but a bright and steady start from Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett gave England fans something to cling to.
This Australia vs England clash has already produced its fair share of drama, and day three was no different.
England were forced to work hard under the hot Brisbane sun as Australia’s lower order prolonged the innings far longer than the visitors would have liked.
Australia’s Tail Piles on the Pressure
Mitchell Starc was the star of the afternoon, again. Showing the kind of form that makes him such a trouble in Ashes justice, the left-armer struck a foamy 77, chastising anything loose and refusing to give England’s bowlers a break.
Scott Boland played the ideal support part, ending unbeaten on 21 and frustrating the excursionists with his case, simple approach.
England did manage a couple of early improvements when Alex Carey and Michael Neser departed, but the instigation stubbornly remained with Australia.
Brydon Carse was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-152 and providing the sort of spark England desperately needed.
Will Jacks also offered a highlight with a superb catch earlier in the day, but the overall picture remained a tough one for Ben Stokes’ side.
With Australia’s total surging past 500, England were left with the familiar feeling of chasing the game, never ideal in an Ashes Test, especially away from home.
England’s Reply Begins Positively
If England needed a fresh start, Crawley and Duckett certainly provided one. Walking out at a daunting 0/0 and trailing by 177, the pair handled Mitchell Starc’s opening spell with impressive calmness.
Starc, fortified with the new pink ball under the Brisbane lights, isn’t generally a bowler you ease into, but Crawley in particular looked perplexed.
He cracked two gorgeous drives, contended into the twenties, and looked every bit in control.
Duckett, who arrived at the crease with the pressure of avoiding a king brace, also settled neatly by working Starc off his pads and capitalising on many loose deliveries from Michael Neser.
There were tense moments, Duckett survived a tough return chance to Neser, and Crawley was beaten by one that lifted sprucely, but on the whole, England’s approach was confident without being reckless.
By the regale break, the score of 45/0 had trimmed the deficiency to 132, giving the excursionists the kind of small palm they poorly demanded.
Flat Pitch, Big Challenge
The Gabba pitch has flattened out, which is good news for batting but also means England have no excuses. They will need to show both patience and discipline if they want to drag themselves back into this Ashes 2025 series.
The challenge now is to build on this strong start, convert it into a meaningful partnership, and keep Australia out in the field long enough to shift the pressure.
This is classic Ashes cricket: momentum swings, gritty sessions, and the constant feeling that one mistake could reshape the match.
Score Summary
Australia 511 all out
Starc 77, Boland 21
Carse 4-152, Stokes 3-113
England 45/0 (6 overs)
Crawley 26, Duckett 13
Trail by 132 runs
What Comes Next?
Day four will be crucial, not just for the match but potentially for the direction of the Ashes 2025/26 series. If England’s openers can settle in again and push on, the pressure returns to Australia. If the hosts strike early, though, the match could tilt heavily in their favour.
Either way, the stage is set for another gripping chapter in the timeless battle of Australia vs England.
