SPORTS DESK (MNN); Australia stormed to an emphatic eight-wicket win over England in the day-night second Ashes Test at Brisbane on Sunday, tightening their grip on the series with an imposing 2-0 lead.
Chasing just 65 runs, the hosts wrapped up victory in only 10 overs. Captain Steve Smith sealed the win in style, launching Gus Atkinson for a towering six over square leg.
While not as humiliating as Englandās two-day collapse in the first Test at Perth, the visitors were thoroughly outclassed in all facets of the game.
āA great day,ā Smith said, noting that the match turned when Australia exploited the new ball under lights. He also exchanged heated words with England pacer Jofra Archer during the brisk chase.
Englandās woes deepened as their batting faltered again, barring contributions from Joe Root and Zak Crawley in the first innings and Ben Stokes and Will Jacks in the second. Reckless strokes on the Gabbaās lively surface cost them dearly.
Their bowling also lacked discipline, with short-pitched deliveries squandering the advantage of the pink new ball, unlike Australiaās razor-sharp attack even without Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Englandās fielding further compounded their troubles as they dropped five catches, whereas Australia were flawless. A sensational run-out by Josh Inglis to dismiss Stokes in the first innings proved a decisive moment.
With matches in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney still to come, Australia are now overwhelming favourites to retain the Ashes.
Stokes admitted disappointment, saying England struggled to cope with pressure āwhen the game is on the lineā.
England fell far behind once Australiaās tail pushed the hosts to 511, securing a lead of 177. Six wickets then fell under lights on Day 3, leaving England 134-6 and still trailing.
On Sunday, Stokes and Jacks mounted a resilient partnership, grinding through the searing heat to push England 50 runs ahead. They adopted an unusually patient approachāscoring just 59 runs in two hoursāafter batting coach Marcus Trescothick had insisted England would not abandon their aggressive style.
Their resistance eventually cracked when Michael Neser dismissed both Jacks and Stokes in quick succession. Neser finished with career-best figures of 5-42, while Smith equalled Rahul Dravidās tally of 210 outfield catches.
Australia lost Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne in the chase, but Smith and Jake Weatherald completed the job with ease.
āThey had a great partnership today, Stokes and Jacksāyou never know what might have happened with Stokes still there,ā Smith remarked.
