Australia win pink-ball Test vs England by 8 wickets:Lead five-match series by 2-0; Mitchell Starc receives second POTM in a row

England’s hopes of staying alive in the Ashes were shattered in Brisbane as Australia claimed a ruthless victory to take a 2–0 lead in the series. The hosts chased down a small target of 65 with ease, losing only two wickets and finishing the match with more than a day to spare. The result leaves England needing a miracle to keep the series alive. This defeat will sting even more because England had shown signs of a fightback earlier in the day. After struggling on previous days, the visitors finally played with control and patience in the morning session. Ben Stokes and Will Jacks showed great determination, batting through the entire first session without losing a wicket. Their approach was calm, disciplined, and very different from the mistakes England made the night before. However, just when hopes of a comeback began to rise, England collapsed again. Jacks fell to a stunning catch by Steve Smith, and Stokes edged behind soon after. With the lead barely at 50, England’s chances disappeared quickly, allowing Australia to finish the job in style. Australia finished the chase with an ease Once England were bowled out and Australia were left with just 65 runs to chase, the result felt inevitable. Despite a fiery spell from Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson, the Australian batters stayed calm and completed the job with eight wickets in hand. The final chase was the result of the strong foundation Australia had built earlier. They had already put England under huge pressure on day three, when Mitchell Starc played a key knock of 77 before leading the charge with the ball. Under the Brisbane lights, England collapsed from a promising 90/1 to losing five wickets for just 38 runs—another painful reminder of their ongoing batting struggles. Ben Stokes and Jacks Offer Hope Before Collapse On the fourth day of the Test, England briefly lifted their hopes thanks to Ben Stokes and Will Jacks. The pair added a valuable 96-run partnership that not only brought England into the lead but also suggested the possibility of an unlikely comeback. Stokes (50) and Jacks (41) gave England some belief by adding 96 runs together. They batted smartly and avoided risks, becoming the first pair to play out a wicketless session in this series. But the momentum did not last. Once Jack had departed, England’s innings fell apart just as it had the previous evening when they lost five wickets for just 38 runs after being 90/1. Mitchell Starc shines for Australia with the bat in the Gabba Test Australia’s bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc, were relentless. Starc not only starred with the ball but also scored a crucial 77 with the bat on day three, helping Australia take full control of the match. England’s bowlers, including Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson, tried their best with some fiery spells, but the target was simply too small to defend.