Ben Stokes and Will Jacks tore up the Bazball script and ground out a 96-run partnership founded on attrition, but it was no more than a three-hour delay as Australia cruised to an eight-wicket victory and a 2-0 lead in the Ashes at The Gabba in Brisbane. Stokes and Jacks batted through the first session and well into the evening, defying Australia for 221 balls, but once Michael Neser, the veteran medium-pacer, triggered a collapse of 4-17, Australia raced to their target of 65 for the loss of Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne.
The raucous home crowd had arrived expecting a quick wrap, but instead, they saw genuine resistance from the overnight pair. Stokes is well capable of stonewalling when needed, and Jacks – with a reputation as a T20 dasher – also knuckled down as England kept out the softer pink ball in favourable afternoon batting conditions. It was the slowest half-century partnership of the Bazball era, with just six fours struck between two normally aggressive batters.
Mitchell Starc, England’s nemesis throughout the series so far, couldn’t add to his match tally of eight wickets, and Scott Boland too couldn’t break through as England resolutely added 59 in the 24 overs before lunch was taken. The tempo quickened a bit in the 10 overs after the interval before a sensational catch from Steve Smith hastened the end. The unheralded Neser induced the edge from Jacks (41 off 92 balls) and Smith, standing at a wide first slip, grabbed it in his left hand less than an inch from the ground.
The sucker punch arrived in Neser’s next over, as Stokes – who faced 152 balls and batted nearly four hours – got the thinnest of nicks to a Neser delivery that moved a touch. Alex Carey, standing up to the stumps, took a stunning catch. Stokes threw his head back in despair and walked off chastising himself.
Gus Atkinson pulled Brendan Doggett straight to Smith at mid-wicket, and Carse then edged to the same fielder at slip to give his first five-for in his third Test. That he wasn’t even part of Australia’s squad before the first Test in Perth would have made it even more galling for England.
Travis Head, naturally, came out throwing the kitchen sink, and raced to 22 before chopping on off Atkinson. A steep lifter accounted for Labuschagne, and there was late drama as Smith struck four, four and six in a Jofra Archer over that saw some verbal back and forth. Another six off Atkinson finished things off, well ahead of a predicted storm.
With Pat Cummins due to return in Adelaide, and Nathan Lyon also set to return, the 35-year-old Neser may not play another Test. But whatever happens, he’ll have this evening at The Gabba.
Brief scores: England 334 and 241 (Ben Stokes 50, Will Jacks 41; Michael Neser 5/42) lost to Australia 511 and 69/2 (Steve Smith 23 not out; Gus Atkinson 2/37) by 8 wickets.
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news
