The Ashes 2025: England Claws Back from the Brink in Brisbane – But Can They Turn the Tide?
Live Reporting
Scorecard
Watch & Listen
Summary
- Missed the Action? Catch up with our 8am update here.
- Smith's Stunner: A brilliant catch by Steve Smith ends Will Jacks' defiant innings watch here.
- Stokes & Jacks Rally: A 96-run stand for the seventh wicket gives England a glimmer of hope.
- Stokes Falls: Stokes (50) departs soon after, as England lose their last four wickets for just 17 runs.
Day Four, Brisbane
Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport at the top of the page.
Live Reporting by Elizabeth Botcherby
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Alex Hartley, Former England Bowler (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra): "I'm genuinely impressed with how Will Jacks and Ben Stokes have dug in during this morning's session. After yesterday's collapse under the lights, England looked down and out. But Stokes, as always, brings unpredictability, and today they've shown real fight."
See AlsoSanju Samson Speaks Out on Losing Opening Spot to Shubman GillPat Cummins Returns: Australia Squad for Adelaide Ashes Test Announced!Arshdeep Singh Bowls 7 Wides in One Over: India vs South Africa T20I Epic Fail!Mark Waugh Recreates Josh Inglis' Epic Run-Out of Ben Stokes | Ashes 2025 HighlightsPost published at 06:10 GMT: "Thanks, Elizabeth. I knew my colleagues would blame England's struggles on the live text commentator's curse! And here we are, a wicketless session for the first time in the series. Remarkable!"
Post published at 06:06 GMT: "Last time I handed over to Timothy Abraham, England were 45-0 after six overs... and then disaster struck. Today, no wickets lost on my watch. No pressure, Tim!"
Get Involved (published at 06:02 GMT): Click 'Get Involved' at the top of the page to share your thoughts.
"Stokes is saving face, but let's be honest, The Ashes were on the line four days ago, not now." – Dickie, YorkEngland 193-6 (59 overs) – Lead by 16 runs: Stokes 36 (112), Jacks 25 (66). A quirky over from Labuschagne brings us to lunch. Jacks adds three, and Stokes blocks out the final deliveries. England survive the session without losing a wicket!
What's Happened So Far Today... (published at 05:59 GMT): "How do you like your Ashes updates in the morning? Boiled or fried, as long as they're served with a side of hope. England started the day on 134-6, staring at an innings defeat, but they've shown grit at the Gabba. Stokes and Jacks have batted with patience, rotating the strike and punishing the bad balls. Sensible cricket, and it's paid off – for now."
England 190-6 (58 overs) – Lead by 13 runs: Travis Head, bowling in his signature sunglasses, concedes a single to Jacks.
Alex Hartley (published at 05:56 GMT): "Travis Head is a fan favorite, especially after his heroics in the first Test. He bowls quickly, rattling through his overs."
Get Involved (published at 05:55 GMT): "It's too little, too late. The game's gone." – Chris, Verwood
England 189-6 (57 overs) – Lead by 12 runs: Into the final 10 minutes of the session. Three singles and a wide push England's lead into double figures. Travis Head to bowl the next over!
Stat Attack! (published at 05:54 GMT): "England's 50-run partnership between Stokes and Jacks is the slowest in the Bazball era, at just 2.26 runs per over. Yet, it's shifted England's WinViz from 6% to 13%. Attritional cricket at its finest." – Srinivas Vijaykumar, CricViz
Alex Hartley (published at 05:49 GMT): "That ball from Boland squared Stokes up, and Cameron Green was inches away from a catch. Just over his fingertips – a huge let-off!"
England 185-6 (56 overs) – Lead by 8 runs: Stokes gets lucky! The ball flies off the edge, just clearing Green at gully. Stokes takes four, and Boland roars in frustration. Six off the over.
Get Involved (published at 05:48 GMT): "Will Jacks is giving England's top order a masterclass in situation management. They should be taking notes." – Charlie, Gabba
Alex Hartley (published at 05:45 GMT): "Australia must be wishing they had a spinner in their attack today."
England 179-6 (55 overs) – Lead by 2 runs: Stokes goes for a reckless drive, and the ball whisks past his edge. Heart-stopping moment!
Alex Hartley (published at 05:42 GMT): "Jacks and Stokes have shown real application today. They're fighting hard."
England 178-6 (54.2 overs) – Lead by 1 run: Jacks takes a single, and England edge into the lead. Who would've thought?"
Get Involved (published at 05:41 GMT): "Flying back to Manchester after watching the Perth Test and the first three days here. Let me land to a miracle!" – James, Doha
Alex Hartley (published at 05:40 GMT): "England are showing application and determination. They're taking time out of the game, proving you can bat for long periods if you focus."
But here's where it gets controversial...
Is England's late fightback a sign of resilience or a case of too little, too late? And should Australia have included a spinner in their lineup for this Test? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Do you think England can still turn this around, or is Australia's grip on The Ashes too strong?
