Australia Clinch second Ashes Test, Extend lead to 2-0
brisbane, Australia – December 8, 2025 – Australia defeated england by 65 runs in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Despite a spirited rearguard action from Ben Stokes and Tom Jacks,england succumbed to the Australian attack,ultimately falling short in their chase.
The victory builds on Australia’s win in the first Test and puts significant pressure on England, who now must win at least three of the remaining matches to reclaim the Ashes. The third Test begins December 17 at the Adelaide Oval, followed by the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and a final match in Sydney from January 4.
England began the final day trailing by 43 runs, and while many anticipated a swift Australian victory, Stokes and Jacks initially frustrated the hosts. The pair adopted a cautious approach, prioritizing survival and accumulating runs in singles rather than attempting aggressive shots. they added just 28 runs in the first hour, eventually passing the deficit after 96 minutes, having scored 59 runs in two hours.
However, the resistance was broken as Michael Neser dismissed Jacks, with steve Smith taking a breathtaking diving catch at slip. Neser then removed Stokes shortly after, edging to Alex Carey, leaving England at 227-8 with a lead of 50.
Neser finished with career-best figures of 5-42, while Smith equaled rahul Dravid on 210 outfield catches, trailing only Joe Root’s record of 213. The lower order offered little resistance, as Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer quickly fell.
Australia needed to chase 66 for victory, and despite losing Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, Smith and Jake Weatherald comfortably guided the home side to an easy win.
England batting coach marcus Trescothick had stated his batsmen would maintain their aggressive approach despite recent failures, but Stokes and Jacks initially deviated from that strategy on Sunday, focusing on defensive play and building a partnership.
[Image of Steve Smith hitting the winning runs for Australia on day 4 of the second Ashes Series Test at The Gabba on December 7, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia [Darrian Traynor/Getty Images]]
[Image of Australia captain Steve Smith, right, shakes hands with england captain ben Stokes after going 2-0 up in the best-of-five test series [Hollie Adams/reuters]]
