Ashes blaze at Gabba: Smith’s final-over 6, Neser’s 5-42 power Australia to dominant 2–0 advantage

Brisbane: Hosts Australia cricket team completed a commanding eight-wicket victory over England cricket team at the Gabba to clinch the 2nd Test of the 2025–26 Ashes and take a 2–0 lead in the five-match series.

The win was capped by a stunning final blow from Steve Smith — an unbeaten 23 off just nine deliveries, punctuated by a six — to seal the chase of a modest target of 65.

From the outset of Day 4, England had resumed at 134/6 in their second innings, still trailing Australia.

Despite a defiant stand from Ben Stokes (50) and Will Jacks (41), the tail collapsed under pressure from the Australian bowling attack led by a largely unheralded but ruthless Michael Neser.

Neser — playing his first Test in three years — recorded a superb 5-42, his first-ever five-wicket haul in Test cricket, to dismiss the tail and set Australia a trivial target.

With a target of just 65, Australia began their chase in the post-dinner session. Early hiccups saw the loss of Travis Head (22) and Marnus Labuschagne (3) — both falling to Gus Atkinson — but the pressure built by England’s bowlers soon waned under mounting nerves.

Then came Smith’s moment. After a fiery on-field exchange with England’s quick Jofra Archer — the first to bowl to Smith in that final over — the batter responded in style: a ramp, quick boundaries, and finally a huge six over deep square leg. His 23* off nine balls settled the match with emphatic flair.

For England, the Stokes–Jacks rearguard offered some hope but ultimately could not overcome a disciplined Australian attack and sharp fielding, including a clutch catch from Smith to uproot Jacks and swing momentum.

Australia’s win was comprehensive. The bowling unit — led by Neser — and fielding standards suppressed England’s fight, while the chase, brief though it was, underlined the hosts’ dominance under pressure. The result extends England’s poor record in Australia: they have now lost 15 out of their last 17 Tests on these shores.

The victory also carried emotional weight. Smith, recently reinstated as captain for this Test, not only finished the game with panache but also took a spectacular catch earlier in the innings — a moment that turned the tide just when England seemed to be escaping.

With a 2–0 lead in the series, Australia goes into the third Test with all the momentum. England’s camp, meanwhile, must now regroup quickly. As the series heads to the Adelaide Oval from December 17, they face a monumental task — no England team in Ashes history has ever come back from 0–2 down to win the series.