Ashes 2nd Test: Australia secure eight-wicket win as England struggle

Australia beat England by eight wickets in Brisbane to lead the Ashes 2-0. A clear ratings round-up highlights standout contributions and where England fell short.

Australia won the Brisbane Test by eight wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series.

This article provides a concise, reader-friendly ratings roundup for both teams, highlighting key moments that shaped the match and what it means for the rest of the series.

England

Ben Duckett - 2

Struggled from the start, with an early dismissal setting a difficult tone. He also endured a costly moment in the first innings that contributed to England’s flop with the bat.

Zak Crawley - 5

Showed moments of resilience after a tough start in the first innings and looked to rebuild in the second. However, a loose shot ended his knock, underscoring the uncertain path ahead for his place in the side.

Ollie Pope - 2

Unsettling form with the bat across both innings, leaving England short at the top of the order and adding pressure on selectors about selection in Adelaide.

Joe Root - 8

Finally reached a Test century in Australia, drawing emotional scenes from teammates and fans. While celebrated, the result tempers the significance of his milestone given the match outcome.

Harry Brook - 2

Fell cheaply in the first innings in particular, with a costly shot before a late dismissal in the second. The leadership question and form will be under scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.

Ben Stokes - 6

Attempted to steer the innings and provide edge in the field, but a failure to convert his start and a first-innings run out limited his impact.

Jamie Smith - 1

Faced just 13 balls, dropped a straightforward chance, and appeared overwhelmed by the occasion. His place as a gloveman will be debated following this display.

Will Jacks - 6

Made a long-awaited return and offered resistance with the bat. Showed sharpness in the field and with a late breakthrough in the bowling, hinting at potential impact in Adelaide.

Gus Atkinson - 3

Didn’t make the breakthroughs many hoped for and has not capitalised on opportunities in the series. England need more from his middle-to-lower-order contributions.

Brydon Carse - 4

Kept grinding and fielding effort high, but the bowling analysis didn’t translate into big wickets. His all-round impact remains a talking point for the squad.

Jofra Archer - 4

Put in a competitive first-innings batting showing but faded on Day 3, and his bowling failed to extract regular wickets in this match.

Australia

Jake Weatherald - 7

Provided a solid start with a half-century, lifting the tempo for Australia and hinting at a longer run of form with more opportunities in Test cricket.

Travis Head - 4

Hardly as influential as in the opener but still contributed when England pressed. His partnership with Weatherald helped Australia stay competitive in the first innings.

Marnus Labuschagne - 7

Reaffirmed his consistency after a brief spell out of the team, delivering steady runs as Australia built a solid base to defend or chase with confidence.

Steve Smith - 7

Looked set for a big score before a brilliant fielding moment dismissed him, then replied with another smart innings that fueled Australia’s push against England.

Cameron Green - 5

Batting made a strong start but a striking dismissal halted his momentum; he continues to work through a period of fitness management while contributing with the bat.

Alex Carey - 8

Kept exceptionally well, surviving a few difficult moments, and produced vital runs when it counted. His glove work was a standout feature of the innings.

Josh Inglis - 5

Face value role shifts as Usman Khawaja’s fitness looms; he made a key run-out that swung momentum on Day 1 and offered useful support later in the match.

Michael Neser - 8

Bowling with discipline and consistency in all three pink-ball Tests this series. His partials and length restrictions kept England under pressure, while his lower-order runs added value.

Mitchell Starc - 10

Again led the way with pace, control, and two-way impact through bat and ball. This series performance mirrors the best of Mitchell Johnson-era dominance.

Scott Boland - 6

Not at his best with the ball, but his accuracy and field presence kept England honest and his batting added valuable depth in this match.

Brendan Doggett - 6

Stepped up to cover for the injured captain and delivered a reliable, uncomplicated shift. He’s a strong squad option for Adelaide.

Expert comment: Analysts say England’s top order remains fragile on Australian pitches and that the captaincy’s leadership demands more with bat and strategy. Some observers also highlight Australia’s depth as a deciding factor in two big wins this series.

Short summary: Australia extended their Ashes lead to 2-0 with a methodical display in Brisbane, leveraging strong middle-order contributions and elite wicketkeeping. England’s batting frailties and inconsistent finishes continue to dampen their hopes. The series will hinge on how the visitors respond in Adelaide and whether their top order can construct competitive totals.