Australia are on the brink of grabbing a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series after dominating a demoralised England on the third day of the day-night second Test in Brisbane on Saturday.
The hosts batted England out of the game during the day session at the Gabba then took full advantage of the changed conditions under lights to reduce Ben Stokes’s men to 134-6 at stumps, still trailing by 43 runs.
After losing inside two days in Perth, England are staring down the barrel in the match and the series.
“We just wanted to put as many balls in the right area as we could. I think we bowled really well,” said seamer Scott Boland, who took 2-33 as England’s batting collapsed.
“They always play their shots and I feel like this kind of wicket, with some up and down, if we put as many balls in the right areas they’re going to give you some chances.”
When Australia resumed the day on 378-6 with a lead of 44, England would have been hoping to take the last four wickets quickly and not face too large a deficit.
But led by unlikely batting hero Mitchell Starc, Australia made 511 and kept England out on the field during the blisteringly hot day session.
At the close, Stokes and spinner Will Jacks were holding on grimly, both unbeaten on four runs apiece.
England batting coach Marcus Trescothick was adamant that they will not change their aggressive batting approach.
