England’s Ashes hopes are over in less than six days after an eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the second Test at the Gabba.
England finally showed some magic with the bat on the fourth day of the pink-ball match in Brisbane, but still suffered their second crushing defeat of the tour after a two-day defeat in the first Test in Perth.
Perhaps determined to set an example for his team-mates after their disappointing performance on Saturday, captain Ben Stokes smashed 50 off 152 balls.
Stokes and Will Jaques, who scored 41 out of 92, added 96 runs for the seventh wicket in 36.4 overs – England’s longest partnership of the series.
They were together for an hour in the middle session, when Jacques was sensationally caught at first slip by Australia captain Steve Smith.
This was the beginning as England lost their last four wickets for 17 runs and were all out for 241 runs.
Stokes dismissed Neser, Gus Atkinson was bounced out by Brendan Doggett and Brydon Carse bowled in the slips to give Neser his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Australia were given a modest target of 65 runs. Although Atkinson edged Travis Head and used a lifter to remove Marnus Labuschagne, the win was completed in 10 overs.
Due to this, Stokes’ team has fallen 2-0 and will have to win the remaining three Tests to regain the Ashes. England have never won a series against Australia after being 2–0 down.
On the most eagerly awaited Ashes tour for a generation and what was being touted as a golden opportunity to win the Ashes for the first time since 2015, Stokes’ men are threatening to deliver the worst performance by an England team in Australia in modern times.
England’s attitude will again be questioned as tourists plan holidays to the Sunshine Coast after the defeat.
Regardless of how England spend their time between now and the third Test on December 17 (23:30 16 December GMT), they will have to improve significantly one way or another to compete in Adelaide.
As Ashes holders, Australia will need only a draw to retain the urn as soon as possible before thousands of England fans travel to Melbourne and Sydney for Tests at Christmas.
The hosts will do so with captain Pat Cummins set to return from injury and off-spinner Nathan Lyon likely to return.
The absence of the Australian team at the start of the series presented a big opportunity for England which they missed. Now, they will have to face the consequences.