England suffered another humiliating eight-wicket defeat in the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, trailing 2-0 in the five-match series despite a more intense display on day four at the Gabba.

Six runs behind Australia at the start of day one and still trailing Australia by 43 runs, the damage had been done after a top-order collapse late in night three, but Ben Stokes (50) and Will Jacks (41) held on to at least force the hosts to bat again.

The pair showed patience and discipline – something few England batsmen have managed so far this series – to score 96 for the seventh wicket, batting out the entire first session to offer the faintest hope of a remarkable comeback.

There were few demons on the pitch, and against an old ball and a tired Australian attack, Stokes and Jacks extended England’s advantage to 47 until Steve Smith’s inspired catch triggered the visitors’ ultimate demise.

Smith dived low to left at slip, eventually breaking the partnership and seeing the back of Jacks, and Michael Nether added Stokes’ crucial wicket in his next over shortly after his 36th Test fifty.

Stokes had the slimmest of margins behind Alex Carey, who took another brilliant catch, and standing at the stumps, the England captain threw his bat back in dismay as he trudged on with his team’s Ashes hopes dashed.

Nether (5-42), playing his third Test – and first in three years – would add the wicket of Brendan Cass to end the innings and take his first five-wicket haul at home to Queensland.

Australia won by 65 and wasted little time chasing down their own target during the tea break, cruising home comfortably in 10 overs after the match between Smith and Jofra Archer became a bit tight, especially under the final lights.

Atkinson (2-37) caught Travis Head (22), chopped off his stumps and joined Marnus Labuschagne (3) in his next over to score a rising delivery to provide a glimmer of positivity for England heading into the next Test in Adelaide.

Those wickets left Smith in trouble and he was delighted to tell the crowd that Archer has yet to get him out in Test cricket, despite a memorable battle at Lord’s in 2019 in which the Australian suffered concussion after taking a hit during a fierce fast bowling encounter.

Archer’s arrival quickened the tempo again, but Smith (23 off nine balls) rose to the challenge, quickly hooking the Englishman’s four and six in the same over as the pair engaged in a heated exchange in midfield.

At one point, Smith was heard saying on the stump microphone, “Champion, just hit the ball faster when it’s okay,” and he would eventually have the last laugh, knocking Atkinson for another six to help Australia win in style.

Australia Ashes Series 2025-26

All time UK and Ireland

• First test (Perth): Australia beat England by eight wickets
• Second test (day/night): Australia beat England by eight wickets
• Third test: Wednesday 17 December – Sunday 21 December (11.30pm) – Adelaide Oval
• Fourth test: Thursday 25 December – Monday 29 December (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Fifth test: Sunday 4 January – Thursday 8 January (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground