Australia one Test away from winning Ashes with England in disarray after bruising eight-wicket loss

BRISBANE: England is now facing the near impossible task of needing to win the final three Test of the 2025/26 Ashes after a bruising eight-wicket loss at the Gabba.

Australia only needs to draw the series to retain the Ashes, and currently leads 2-0.

Ben Stokes and Will Jacks successfully batted through the first session in a defensive manner rarely seen in the Bazball era.

AS IT HAPPENED: Second Ashes Test, day two

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But when the second session arrived it was a different story.

Michael Neser dismissed Jacks (41) with Steve Smith taking a one-handed screamer at slip. Then Stokes (50) headed off too with Carey taking a catch up to the stumps for Neser.

Gus Atkinson (3) followed, hooking Brendan Doggett straight to Smith at square leg.

Smith then took the final catch at slip to dismiss Brydon Carse (7) as Neser finished with a five-wicket haul.

England was bowled out for 241, setting Australia a target of 56.

By the dinner break, Travis Head and Jake Weatherald put the side in a commanding position at 0-33.

Head then chopped on for 22 off Gus Atkinson after the break.

Marnus Labuschagne couldn't score the winning runs either, copping a brutal short ball from Atkinson and edging behind off Atkinson for 3.

The next over, Smith went on the attack, hitting Jofra Archer for 15 off one over. Archer at one stage exchanged verbals with Smith after being hit for a boundary over the keeper.

Archer's next delivery was hit for six by the captain.

The winning runs were brought up in similar fashion with Smith pulling Atkinson for six to seal the victory.

Smith finished with 23 and Weatherald 17.

The next Test at Adelaide will start on December 17.