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Australia Cruise to 2-0 Ashes Lead With Eight-Wicket Win at the Gabba

England's top-order frailty leaves selection questions for Adelaide, with Pat Cummins nearing a return and Josh Hazlewood's fitness in doubt.

Cricket - The Ashes - Australia v England - Second Test - The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia - December 7, 2025 England's Jofra Archer interacts with Australia's Steve Smith REUTERS/Hollie Adams
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England are 2-0 down in Australia, and facing the possibility of once again losing an Ashes series at the earliest opportunity. Here's who they could bring in for the third Test.
Smith and Archer exchanged some words in the middle.

Overview

  • Set 65 to win, Australia knocked off the target in 10 overs to go 2-0 up in the five-Test series after another eight-wicket victory.
  • Michael Neser took a maiden Test five-for (5-42) after Steve Smith’s one-handed slip catch ended the Ben Stokes–Will Jacks resistance at 96 for the seventh wicket, with England dismissed for 241.
  • Smith closed out the chase with a blistering 23 off nine balls, including a match-winning six, following a brief on-field flare-up with Jofra Archer.
  • Australia’s platform was a first-innings 511, built on fifties from Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Smith and Alex Carey, plus Mitchell Starc’s 77 and his 6-75 with the ball.
  • Looking ahead to Adelaide on December 17, Cummins is reported as close to returning, Hazlewood has an Achilles setback that clouds his availability, and a Nathan Lyon recall has been floated.