England’s second Test in the Ashes 2025 series has left fans and cricket experts stunned, as the visitors endured a humiliating day at the Gabba, Brisbane. With Australia missing key bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon, England had a golden opportunity to seize control of the series. Instead, the tourists fell well short, leaving their Ashes 2025 hopes in tatters.
Ashes 2025 Scorecard Summary
Australia 511: Starc 77, Weatherald 72; Carse 4-152, Stokes 3-113
England 334: Root 138; Starc 6-75 & 134-6, Crawley 44; Neser 2-27, Boland 2-33
England trails by 43 runs after day three, with a 2-0 series deficit looming.
Day three at the Gabba proved catastrophic for England. The team finished at 6-134 in their second innings, still trailing Australia’s first-innings total by 43 runs. Facing a first-innings deficit of 177, England needed a near-miracle to recover. Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley, and Harry Brook all made critical errors, gifting Australia several key wickets. Ollie Pope, in particular, struggled in Australian conditions, continuing a trend of poor performances with an average of just 18.71 across seven Tests in the country.
His repeated drives to the bowler led to quick dismissals, leaving England in disarray. Zak Crawley also made unwise shot selections, while Duckett suffered unfortunate dismissals that compounded the collapse. Despite Ben Stokes remaining unbeaten, he lacked support, leaving England’s innings on the brink.
Australia, meanwhile, showcased their dominance even without their top bowlers. Mitchell Starc led the charge with a stellar knock of 77, helping Australia secure a massive first-innings lead. Australia scored a total of 511, with contributions from Starc and Weatherald highlighting the depth of the side. The Australian bowlers, including Starc, Michael Neser, and Scott Boland, relentlessly attacked England’s weaknesses, exploiting poor shot selection and weak bowling strategies. Even the tail made vital contributions, emphasizing England’s inability to adapt to the conditions.
Experts have been quick to criticize England’s performance. Michael Vaughan called the display humiliating, highlighting that even a “second-string” Australian side had outplayed them. Michael Atherton described the day as “gruesome,” while Nasser Hussain remarked that England was “out-bowled, out-batted, out-caught, out-thought” throughout the day. Jonathan Agnew also raised concerns about the lack of accountability within the squad, suggesting that repeated mistakes without consequences could lead to lasting psychological damage. Analysts emphasized that England’s inability to learn from previous failures has left the team vulnerable in the Ashes 2025 series.
Technical issues plagued England throughout the Test. Repeatedly driving on the up with hard hands led to unnecessary dismissals. England’s pacemen bowled short, allowing Australian batsmen to dominate, and yorkers were rarely utilized against Australia’s tail. Despite lessons from the first Test in Perth, there was little adjustment in batting or bowling strategies, leaving the team predictable and easy to counter. Batting coach Marcus Trescothick noted that the team was trying to “play the way they want to play,” but this inflexibility contributed to their collapse.
Looking ahead, England faces a daunting challenge to salvage their Ashes 2025 campaign. The Adelaide Test will demand both tactical adjustments and mental resilience. Players will need to improve their shot selection, correct technical flaws, and execute disciplined bowling strategies. Failure to adapt may result in Australia clinching the series before England can mount a serious comeback.
FAQs :
Q1: Why is England struggling in Ashes 2025?
England’s struggles stem from technical issues, poor shot selection, ineffective bowling, and a lack of squad depth. Players have failed to adapt to Australian conditions.
Q2: How significant was Mitchell Starc’s performance in Brisbane?
Starc’s 77 with the bat and outstanding bowling performances helped Australia build a massive first-innings lead and dominate England, showcasing his all-round impact.
Q3: Can England recover in the Ashes 2025 series?
While difficult, England’s chances depend on improving batting consistency, implementing tactical bowling changes, and fostering mental resilience to counter Australia’s dominance.
Q4: What were the key mistakes by England in the second Test?
Key mistakes included driving on the up, dropping catches, poor bowling line and length, and failing to put pressure on Australian batsmen.
Q5: Who might replace struggling England players?
Jacob Bethell is a likely candidate to replace underperforming players like Ollie Pope, though his performance in warm-up matches has been inconsistent.