England face another setback as Australia extends Ashes lead
England suffered another dose of despair at the Gabba as Australia moved in for the kill on day three of the second Ashes Test, reports BritPanorama.
The tourists were a distant second best in every way as they hobbled to the brink of a 2-0 deficit with three matches remaining. Their hopes of reclaiming the urn were fading faster than ever as they slumped to 134 for six, still 43 runs adrift.
This was abject viewing at a ground synonymous with English heartache, as Australia’s tailenders ground the visiting attack into the Brisbane dirt. England’s last three wickets mustered just 128 runs, and the weary bowlers struggled to make an impression against the lower order. In building a total of 511 and a lead of 177, the Australians batted just long enough to consume the last of the natural light, setting about dismantling their opponents.
After an opening stand of 48, the wickets fell with an air of desperate inevitability. Zak Crawley’s 44 was the top score but felt more like a mirage given that none of the England batters approached the 77 runs scored by Australia’s number nine, Mitchell Starc. They also failed to match the 72 balls faced by number 10 Scott Boland, who has a Test average of 7.54.
The seeds of Australia’s dominance were sown in the opening session and a half, as the home side toyed with their opponents, sapping their energy in the ideal bowling conditions. England looked spent by the time they finally ended Australia’s innings, which stretched on longer than they could have feared after resuming at 378 for six. After enduring 118 overs under the sweltering sun, the skies darkened, and the artificial lights took over.
The tourists experienced a brief flicker of hope as Crawley and Ben Duckett put on 45 runs in six overs after lunch. However, that optimism was short-lived. Duckett fell after facing just five balls post-interval, bowled by Boland, who got one to scuttle through low.
Crawley showed more authority but his dismissal was a near-replica of Duckett’s, giving a simple return catch to Michael Neser at 97 for three, raising alarm bells over England’s composure. Meanwhile, Joe Root, fresh from a long-awaited maiden hundred on Australian soil, struggled to replicate that form and fell victim to Starc.
Ultimately, England’s position appears increasingly untenable as they head deeper into the series. Each setback amplifies the scrutiny on their batting order and decision-making as the line between heroics and calamity continues to narrow.
