Chasing just 65 for victory on day four of the day-night Test, Steve Smith finished the job in style, pulling Gus Atkinson for six as Australia cruised home in 10 overs and deepened the gloom around Ben Stokes’ team.

But the real story of Brisbane was Michael Neser. Picked ahead of veteran spinner Nathan Lyon in a bold selection call, the 34-year-old Queensland quick grabbed his first Test five-wicket haul, taking 5-42 in England’s second innings and shredding what remained of their resistance.

Neser justifies “horses for courses” gamble

With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood both sidelined, Australia went all-pace on a Gabba pitch that rewarded discipline more than raw speed. Neser, playing his first Test since 2022, made the most of the opportunity.

After England had clawed their way into a lead through a stubborn stand between Ben Stokes and Will Jacks, Neser broke the partnership just before the second-session drinks break, drawing an edge from Jacks that Smith clung onto in the slips with a diving catch. He removed Stokes in his next over, finding a faint nick through to Alex Carey to leave England 8-227 with a lead of just 50.

The tail offered little resistance. Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer all fell cheaply as Neser cleaned up the innings and walked off with career-best figures and the ball under his arm.

Speaking after play, Neser said returning to the Gabba in a baggy green was “pretty special” and admitted the long wait for another Test had driven him.

“I’ve had to be patient, but you never stop believing. To do it here, in an Ashes Test, means a lot,” he said.

England unravels again

While this defeat was not as brutal as their two-day collapse in Perth, England were outplayed in all facets again. Their batting showed only “a flicker of resistance”, as Stokes and Jacks reined in their natural attacking instincts to grind through the first two hours on Sunday, adding 59 runs and briefly hinting at a contest.

But once that partnership was broken, the familiar pattern returned. Poor shot selection, loose bowling and sloppy fielding left England exposed. They conceded 511 in Australia’s first innings after dropping five chances, then slipped to 6-134 under lights on day three to hand control back to the hosts.

Stokes later admitted his side had not handled pressure well enough across the first two Tests, saying they had failed to “stand up in the big moments” and needed to show more resilience when Australia applied the squeeze.

Smith steadies, Australia in command

If Neser broke England’s spirit, Smith supplied the finishing touch. Installed as stand-in captain in Cummins’ absence, he marshalled his bowlers smartly on a surface that rewarded full, straight bowling under lights and then anchored the tiny chase with trademark calm.

Australia did lose Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply, but at no point did the game feel in doubt. Smith, supported by Jake Weatherald, knocked off the runs with minimal fuss, underlining the gulf between the sides in composure and execution.

Smith said the performance showed the depth and adaptability of the squad.

“We’ve asked guys to step into different roles and they’ve done it brilliantly. To be 2–0 up, missing a couple of senior quicks, is really pleasing,” he said.

Ashes dream slipping away for England

The result leaves England needing something close to a miracle to regain the Ashes. Australia now lead 2–0 with three Tests to play in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney and look increasingly confident on home soil.

Questions will again be asked about England’s high-risk “Bazball” approach after another match where rushed strokes and misjudged aggression contributed to collapses. On a Gabba pitch that rewarded patience, their more cautious batting on day four came only after the game had largely slipped from their grasp.

For Australia, the story is far more positive. They have unearthed another reliable weapon in Neser, reaffirmed the Gabba as a fortress, and shown they can control a Test over four days with different personnel and a different style to Perth.

As the series moves south, the equation is simple: one more win secures the urn. After Brisbane, it is hard to argue that Australia aren’t already halfway there.

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