Ashes 2025-26: Five Reasons England Can Be Positive in Brisbane
England head to the Gabba with cautious optimism after Perth. Here are five factors that could lift their hopes in the second Ashes Test.
After a tough outing in Perth, England arrive in Brisbane with a blend of caution and renewed belief. The Gabba presents a stern test, but five clear factors could tilt the balance in the second Ashes match.
Brisbane challenge: England's record at the Gabba
England have a tough history in Brisbane, with no Test win there for 39 years across nine matches. The 2010 517-1 declared innings remains a rare high point, while a rain-affected 1998 stalemate is another glimmer. Yet recent results show the fortress is not unbeatable: India beat Australia in Brisbane in 2021, and West Indies followed with a pink-ball upset in 2024. A solid pace attack and smart planning could help England turn the tide.
A pitch that suits England
The Gabba is famous for pace and bounce, a combination that can favour England’s quicks. The venue typically demands a hard length (balls landing about 8–10 metres from the batsman). England’s pace group—Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Ben Stokes, and Josh Tongue—can bowl within that corridor, especially if Mark Wood remains unavailable. In Perth, England found the right lengths and troubled Australia; if they maintain that discipline under lights and in daytime, batting may become more manageable for England’s batsmen.
The positives from Perth
Despite the direction of the match, England bowled well to dismiss Australia for 132 in the first innings. Across the match, England’s bowling metrics suggested they were slightly more threatening than Australia: an expected bowling average around 25.4 versus Australia’s about 28.7. The bowling plan is sound; the challenge is converting starts with the bat into big scores.
Australia's batting downturn
Australia’s batting has been inconsistent this year, averaging roughly 27.65 across eight Tests. Only Travis Head (a big hundred in Perth) and Marnus Labuschagne showed any sustained form beyond brief scores. England’s James Anderson noted that pace and precision can repeatedly unsettle the Australian lineup, and if England reproduce Perth’s intensity, another low total for Australia could be on the cards.
Starc's day-night Brisbane record
Mitchell Starc remains the standout pink-ball bowler, with 81 wickets at 17.09 in day-night Tests. His overall Gabba record is solid but not overwhelming; England must respect his quality while pursuing continuity in their own bowling. The numbers underline that a single spell at the Gabba can shape a match, so England’s fast bowlers will need to seize the moment when the ball is moving under lights.
Expert commentary
Expert perspective: England’s pace unit showed the kind of aggression that unsettled Australia in Perth. If they replicate that approach in Brisbane, they have a credible path to another low Australia total.
Short takeaway
Perth proved England can trouble Australia with pace and accuracy. Brisbane’s conditions offer another chance to apply that pressure for longer periods, and the team will be hoping their batters convert crucial starts into solid scores. If England strike early and maintain discipline, the door to a potential comeback remains ajar.
Key takeaway: England can build on Perth by applying sustained pace pressure and executing the right lengths at the Gabba, keeping Australia under constant threat. Source: BBC Sport