Michael Neser produced the spell he has long waited for, 5 for 42, his maiden Test five-wicket haul, to dismantle England for 241 and set up Australia’s eight-wicket win in the Day/Night Test at the Gabba.
Picked ahead of Nathan Lyon, Neser justified every ounce of faith placed in him, striking repeatedly with the pink ball and triggering a dramatic lower-order collapse. Australia needed only 65 to wrap up the match, and they did so in just ten overs.
England’s Flicker of Fight
England resumed at 134/6 but briefly reclaimed hope through a gritty 96-run stand between Ben Stokes (50) and Will Jacks (41). Stokes battled hard, Jacks counter-punched, and England looked, at last, steady.
Then the moment that shifted everything: Smith flew to his right in the slips to remove Jacks, and Neser followed up by having Stokes brilliantly taken by Carey standing up to the stumps. From there, England’s innings folded shockingly fast, four wickets for 17 runs.
Very disappointing… We’ve let the control slip away in small passages… need to think harder mentally, and show more fight.
A Swift Australian Chase
Australia began their chase with purpose. Travis Head and Jake Weatherald smashed 37 for the first wicket before Gus Atkinson produced a sharp burst to remove both openers. But the Aussies were never truly threatened. Steve Smith, leading the side, finished the job in style, 23 off nine balls, sealing victory with a soaring six over backward square leg.
The game turned when we were able to extend to get the new ball under lights. What Neser did today was exceptional.
Starc Shines, Smith and Carey Take the Catches
While Neser took the spotlight on day four, Mitchell Starc earned Player of the Match honors for his eight wickets and a valuable 77 with the bat. Smith also highlighted the fielding brilliance behind Neser’s haul: “The two catches, Carey and mine, were top-notch.”
England Searching for Answers
For England, the script remains painfully familiar: promising sessions undone by collapses under pressure.
Australia isn’t a place for weak men, and we’re not weak… We’ve got to sort it out pretty quick.
With three Tests to go, and Pat Cummins set to return, England’s path only gets tougher.
Brief Scores: England: 334 & 241 all out in 75.2 overs (Stokes 50, Crawley 44, Jacks 41; Neser 5-42, Boland 2-47) Australia: 511 & 69/2 in 10 overs (Smith 23*, Atkinson 2-37). Result: Australia won by eight wickets; lead series 2–0.
